US Navy to Retire Powerful Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarines

The United States Navy is preparing to decommission its Ohio class guided missile submarines in the coming years.

These vessels are among the most capable platforms in the American inventory, according to 19FortyFive on March 8.

These submarines played a significant role in several military operations, including the Gulf War and the 2011 mission in Libya. Their ability to launch precise strikes against bunkers and troop concentrations from underwater made them a primary tool for “first strike” operations.

Their large size allows them to carry 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

A new generation of submarines will soon replace these vessels. The Ohio class is known for high endurance and the ability to remain at sea for long periods.

For example, the USS Florida traveled nearly 70,000 miles during a 700-day deployment without stopping at a port. This level of autonomy is vital for operations in the Pacific region, where naval forces must cover vast distances.

The US Navy plans to retire these submarines between 2026 and 2028. They have been in service longer than originally intended. The Virginia-class Block V submarines will take over their role.

These newer boats will include a special section to carry 28 more Tomahawks than previous versions. While one Virginia-class submarine carries 40 missiles, which is fewer than the 154 carried by an Ohio class vessel, the new submarines are more maneuverable and feature advanced technology.

The primary weapon for these new submarines will be the Tomahawk Block IV missile. These missiles function as reconnaissance tools and can receive data updates to change targets while in flight.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

What Is a Tomahawk Missile and How Can It Help Ukraine

Jul 15, 2025 11:28

They allow the Navy to strike enemy infrastructure while keeping the submarine crew safe. While the retirement of the Ohio class will lead to a temporary decrease in total missile capacity, the United States is increasing the production of new submarines to maintain its strategic capabilities.

Earlier, British military forces intervened when a Russian-flagged cargo vessel, the Sinegorsk, conducted a suspicious maneuver by anchoring dangerously close to critical transatlantic undersea communications cables.

The vessel dropped anchor in the Bristol Channel, approximately 2.3 miles off the Somerset coast, placing it less than 1.1 miles from a vital cluster of subsea infrastructure.

These cables served as the primary digital arteries linking the United Kingdom with the United States, Canada, Spain, and Portugal. Given the vessel’s proximity to such high-value targets, UK authorities promptly ordered the ship to leave territorial waters, treating the event as a direct threat to national and international security.

Truth is Under Attack

We report the war as it unfolds directly from the people and places most affected by it. Your support helps us bring these stories to the world.

DEFEND THE TRUTH