WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lawmakers from the Maine and Mississippi congressional delegations today urged Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to include funding for three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in the Biden administration’s FY2023 budget for the U.S. Navy.

U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), along with Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), Jared Golden (D-Maine), and Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), signed a letter to Del Toro that highlights the importance of Arleigh Burke-class ships to our national defense – including their value in countering the growing threat of China – and the impact of the shipbuilding efforts on Maine and Mississippi communities. The ships are currently built at Bath Iron Works (BIW) in Maine and Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi.

“As you work to finalize the Department of the Navy’s FY 2023 budget, we write to respectfully request support for a robust shipbuilding budget, and to include the procurement of three Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers,” began the lawmakers. “We urge the Navy to develop a multi-year procurement program of 15 destroyers which maximizes the procured number of ships under the contract, with the understanding that if adequately funded, the industrial base can support at least three ships per year.”

“Furthermore, to address the growing threat of China and its increasing fleet size, hedge against a belligerent Russia, and assure allies, we urge you to mature and submit the Department’s acquisition plan for the next Large Surface Combatant,” continued the lawmakers. “A strategy closely tied to the industrial base and with extensive oversight will help prevent the issues of cost increases, program delays, and end-product reliability issues seen in other ship classes.”

“These issues are imperative to maintaining our National Defense Strategy and advantage in the maritime commons, and sustaining our military-industrial base,” the lawmakers concluded.

The Maine and Mississippi Congressional delegations have long championed funding for both BIW and Ingalls.  In the recent 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, the lawmakers secured authorization of $4.9 billion for the procurement of 3 DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers which the shipyards can compete to build. Last year, the Maine Senators hosted Del Toro at BIW where the Secretary toured the facilities and saw the importance of the work being done at the shipyard. In January, members of the Mississippi delegation joined Del Toro to review shipbuilding capabilities at Ingalls. 

Read the full letter HERE and below.

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Dear Secretary Del Toro:

As you work to finalize the Department of the Navy’s FY 2023 budget, we write to respectfully request support for a robust shipbuilding budget, and to include the procurement of three Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers.  Additionally, we urge the Department to request multi-year procurement authority for Flight III Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers, and submit an acquisition strategy that addresses the Department’s plans for the Large Surface Combatant known as DDG(X).

Congress consistently supports the national policy of achieving at least a 355-ship fleet as codified in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018.  We urge the Navy to develop a multi-year procurement program of 15 destroyers which maximizes the procured number of ships under the contract, with the understanding that if adequately funded, the industrial base can support at least three ships per year. We remind the Department of the strong, bipartisan, and bicameral support for the Flight III destroyers, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 requiring a report to congress on the potential benefits of a multiyear contract for the period of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

Furthermore, to address the growing threat of China and its increasing fleet size, hedge against a belligerent Russia, and assure allies, we urge you to mature and submit the Department’s acquisition plan for the next Large Surface Combatant.  We remind you of Congress’ intent for the Navy to implement an acquisition strategy for DDG(X) based on a collaborative design, development, and production approach between the Government and industry.  A strategy closely tied to the industrial base and with extensive oversight will help prevent the issues of cost increases, program delays, and end-product reliability issues seen in other ship classes.

These issues are imperative to maintaining our National Defense Strategy and advantage in the maritime commons, and sustaining our military-industrial base. Thank you for your consideration and service to our country.

Sincerely,