Pentagon budget 2027: US Navy plans to spend USD305.7 billion on shipbuilding through FY 2031

The US Navy's fiscal year 2027 budget request includes funding for additional Virginia-class submarines, like Arkansas shown here under construction. (Michael Fabey)

US Navy (USN) officials requested USD305.7 billion to procure 75 ships across the future years defense programme (FYDP) that starts in fiscal year (FY) 2027 and ends in FY 2031, according to USN documents supporting the service's FY 2027 budget request released on 21 April.

The FY 2027 budget request includes USD65.8 billion for Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy (known as the SCN account) for 18 battle force ships, budget documents show. That true shipbuilding base is significantly more, though, as the base FY 2026 request was for USD20.8 billion, with the remainder being included in the accompanying reconciliation funding approved by lawmakers.

The USN intends to request the following amounts across the FYDP: USD64.4 billion for 14 battle force ships in FY 2028, USD48.5 billion for 13 ships in FY 2029, USD62.2 billion for 14 ships in FY 2030, and USD64.7 billion for 16 ships in FY 2031, budget documents show.

About USD 1 billion in advance procurement is requested for the proposed Trump-class battleship (BBG(X)) that is meant to be procured in FY 2028 with three vessels slated across the FYDP, budget documents show.

The FY 2027 request also includes funding for the lead-ship frigate FF(X), based on the US Coast Guard (USCG) Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC), with four being planned across the FYDP, budget documents indicate. Another USD4.5 billion is being sought for total research and development (R&D) funding for BBG(X) and FF(X).

In FY 2027 the navy requested funding for two Virginia-class attack submarines (SSNS) at about USD USD13.9 billion next fiscal year and 10 boats across the FYDP, according to budget documents.