This week, the Navy informed lawmakers that it has finalized a multi-ship agreement with HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding for the procurement of four amphibious warships, a deal projected to save the service close to $1 billion, according to a senior lawmaker.
The contract includes the purchase of three San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks (LPD-33 in fiscal year 2025, LPD-34 in FY27, and LPD-35 in FY29) along with one amphibious assault ship (LHA-10 in FY27), as detailed by Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which oversees Navy shipbuilding.
“Today marks a significant milestone for American shipbuilding and enhances our Navy’s capability to deter China in the coming years,” Wicker affirmed in a written statement. “As I mentioned in my recent ‘Peace Through Strength’ report, the multi-ship procurement strategy is a cost-effective approach to stabilize the industrial base for key shipbuilding initiatives. I am eager to see these contracts executed and believe that further benefits could arise from increasing funding for bulk material procurement.”
POLITICO was the first to report that the Navy communicated this deal to lawmakers in a letter on Wednesday, stating that the ships “will support amphibious assault, special operations, and expeditionary warfare for US Marines, facilitating Marine deployments into theater and supporting humanitarian and contingency operations at a moment’s notice.” Capt. Clay Doss, spokesperson for Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, told Breaking Defense, “The Navy remains committed to working with Congress to fund, build, and deliver the most capable warships to our warfighters.”
“Certification of the amphibious multi-ship procurement contract award underscores the Navy’s commitment to maintaining 31 amphibious warfare ships, and if awarded, would provide American taxpayers with substantial savings,” Doss added.
Kimberly Aguillard, a spokeswoman for HII, redirected inquiries about the deal to the Navy but reaffirmed the company’s dedication to supporting the mission of the Navy and Marine Corps by meeting the minimum requirement for 31 amphibious ships. “Our shipbuilders are ready to serve the nation,” she stated.
The multi-ship purchase has been in development for several years. Lawmakers have consistently urged senior Navy officials to utilize the authorities granted by Congress for pursuing a multi-ship deal for amphibious warships.
Earlier this year, Del Toro and other senior leaders indicated they were actively negotiating the deal with HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi, projecting savings between $900 million and $1 billion compared to individual acquisitions.
This deal, which can be finalized 30 days after formally notifying Congress, would significantly benefit the industrial base, providing the clarity and stability needed for future production timelines.
“On behalf of over 650 companies involved in the amphibious warship industrial base, this multi-ship purchase would enable us to maintain our skilled workforce, combat inflation, and avoid supply chain disruptions, leading to greater efficiency in costs and delivery times,” stated Paul Roden, chairman of the Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition, earlier this year to Breaking Defense.
