US Navy Upgrades Virginia-Class Subs to Counter Pacific Threats

The core of this upgrade is an 84-foot section inserted into the submarine hull, adding 28 missile-launch cells to the existing 12. This expansion brings the total to 40 cells per vessel, providing the flexibility to carry both Tomahawk cruise missiles and emerging hypersonic weaponry. This shift is essential as the aging fleet of four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines, which currently hold a massive 154-missile payload, faces imminent retirement. While a single Virginia-class submarine will carry only about 26% of the firepower of an Ohio-class boat, the Navy views the fleet-wide upgrade as a necessary evolution for modern undersea warfare.

Sidharth Kaushal of the Royal United Services Institute notes that the primary advantage remains the ability of these vessels to loiter in contested waters near Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines with relative safety. As global competition intensifies, the urgency of this program is underscored by recent production figures: China launched 79,000 tonnes of submarine capacity between 2021 and 2025, outpacing the 55,000 tonnes produced by the United States. By modifying the Virginia-class fleet, the Pentagon seeks to maintain a stealthy, forward-deployed strike force capable of neutralizing high-value targets while minimizing detection risks.