NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Navy's overall fleet size would shrink under the 2025 budget proposal from the Pentagon.
The fleet would drop from 293 deployable ships as of today to 286 ships in 2025, under the services' budget request released this week.
The request seeks only six new battle force ships while at the same time, decommissioning 13 ships, including 10 before the end of their expected service life.
Perhaps most concerning here in Hampton roads, the plan seeks only one Virginia-class attack submarine, instead of two that are constructed in part at Newport News Shipbuilding.
"In total, this FY '25 budget really makes the necessary investments to set up for long-term success on both the Virginia and Columbia Class submarines," said Undersecretary of the Navy Errik Raven, explaining the decision.
But lawmakers, including Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Virginia, 1st District) aren't happy.
In a statement, Wittman said: "By only building six ships, President Biden is also threatening to devastate our naval fleet and the Hampton Roads industrial base."
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) is equally displeased with the plan retreating from the legally mandated goal of a 355-ship fleet.
"We're going in the wrong direction. The President's budget didn't send over funding for two subs. It's only sent over funding for one. So, we're going backward," he said.
On an up note, the Pentagon's budget request includes a 4.5 percent pay increase for active-duty military members and a 2 percent increase for civil servants.