GAO Audit Finds Navy Lost 15,000 Submarine Operational Days

The Government Accountability Office released a declassified audit revealing that the US Navy has lost approximately 15,000 operational days for its Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class attack submarines since 2016. A chronic shortage of dry-dock space has caused repair wait times to stretch up to four years, costing taxpayers and the military an estimated $3.4 billion over the last decade.

While the GAO noted a reduction in active idle time between 2023 and 2025, the persistent backlog continues to erode fleet readiness. This decline occurs as attack submarines remain a primary military advantage for the United States over China.

These maintenance failures coincide with broader institutional challenges within the Navy, including delivery delays for Virginia-class and Columbia-class vessels. The service has also faced leadership instability following the removal of Navy Secretary John Phelan in April and ongoing criticism regarding the costs associated with the Trump-class battleship Golden Fleet.