Maintenance backlogs at U.S. Navy dry-docks have cost taxpayers approximately $3.4 billion over the past decade due to delays in servicing attack submarines, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Thursday. The public version of the assessment, originally classified and dated July 16, 2026, highlights operational losses exceeding 15,000 days for the fleet of 44 Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class submarines.
The GAO projects an additional $3.1 billion in costs from fiscal 2026 through 2030, with more than 14,000 operational days expected to be lost as 15 attack submarines enter inactive idle periods. Delays can extend up to four years while vessels await dry-dock availability, with crews remaining aboard during the wait.
The report targets the Naval Sea Systems Command, recommending two primary actions to mitigate the issue. The GAO suggests evaluating alternative decommissioning methods, including defueling submarines outside dry-docks and reducing crew requirements for vessels awaiting retirement. It also calls for the development of an implementation plan to shorten inactive idle time.
The Navy has verbally concurred with the recommendations but has not provided written comments in response to the assessment.
