Ranking Member Courtney Statement On 2024 Defense Budget Details for Submarine Capabilities And F-135 Engine Modernization
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, today reacted to the public release of additional details on the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense.
“The details released today makes clear that this budget goes all in to boost our undersea capabilities and submarine industrial base,” Courtney said of the submarine portions of the budget details released today. “This budget is a clear validation of the work done by thousands of shipbuilders in eastern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia and across the country in the supply chain. And, on the heels of today’s announcement of the undersea leg of the new AUKUS security agreement, this budget sends a resounding message here at home and abroad that the Biden Administration is committed to increasing the capacity of our submarine shipyards and our nationwide supply chain. The undersea priorities included in the budget build on the bipartisan work we have done over the years to stabilize and grow our industrial base and give our shipbuilding the tools and support they need to deliver platforms deemed critical to our national defense. I will work to make sure that these efforts see strong and continue support from Congress this year.”
The budget includes over $300 million for two new critical construction projects at Submarine Base New London, located in Courtney’s district. Courtney has long championed robust investment in our ‘first and finest’ submarine base to enhance the capabilities of this installation.
“This eye-popping request for new investment at the base is clear recognition of the enduring role and unquestioned value of Submarine Base New London,” Courtney said. “These two new projects will ensure that the base has the tools and infrastructure to support the newest and most capable submarines now and well into the future.”
Courtney, who served two terms as Chairman of the Seapower & Projection Forces Subcommittee, serves as Ranking Member of the panel in the 118th Congress.
“With regards to the larger shipbuilding budget, I’m pleased that the initial request sustains the funding levels approved by Congress in last year’s final omnibus package,” Ranking Member Courtney added. "That said, the proposals to pause procure of Marine Corps amphibious vessels, sustain the inadequate ‘used only’ approach to recapitalizing our sealift fleet, and retiring ships will receive bipartisan scrutiny as we begin our work on the defense bill. I’m proud of our subcommittee’s well-earned reputation of working in a bipartisan and constructive way to fulfill our Article One, Section 8, Clause 13 responsibilities regardless of who holds the gavel or the White House. I look forward to working with Chairman Trent Kelly and our colleagues on the panel to keep that trend going.”
Courtney is also a member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittee, and today welcomed the Air Force’s decision to upgrade the existing F135 engine, rather than a replacement engine, to power the F-35.
“Secretary Kendall and the Air Force have made the exact right call about the modernization of the F-35 engine,” Courtney said. “Their decision makes clear that most cost-efficient and reliable propulsion system for the F-35 is the F135 engine built by the hardworking men and women of Pratt & Whitney. Upgrading the existing engine, rather than a costly alternative engine, is the most practical approach for an already proven sustainment network and variant-common option to power the F-35.”
Key Highlights
Submarine Production, Development and Industrial Base support —
- $10.6 billion for the Virginia class submarine, including two in 202 and advanced funding long lead materials for two submarines in 2025 and two in 2026, sustaining the two a year build rate.
- $5.9 billion for the Columbia class submarine, supporting the first two increments for the second boat in the class and advance procurement for future boats for long lead time material. Advance procurement will also continue to fund missile tube production and advanced construction and procurement of major hull components.
- $647 million to strengthen and expand the submarine industrial base to support stabilizing and expanding US submarine construction as well as preparing for AUKUS, investing in areas like workforce development, supplier support, and shipyard infrastructure.
- $1.1 billion for submarine research and development, including expanding capabilities on Block VI Virginia class submarines and development of the SSN(x), the future replacement of the Virginia class.
Submarine Base New London — $332 million to support two mission-critical military construction projects at the base, including:
- $113 million for the extension of Pier 31, which will upgrade an existing submarine pier at the base to support the longer Block V Virginia Payload Module (VPM) submarines.
- $219 million for a new Weapons Magazine & Ordnance Operations Facility
F135 Engine Modernization — The budget request reflects an Air Force decision to invest in the modernization of the current F-135 engine built at Connecticut’s Pratt & Whitney for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
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