US Navy Maintenance Backlogs Could Leave Over a Dozen Submarines Idle for Years

US Navy backlogs could leave over a dozen submarines sitting idle for years, costing $3 billion, watchdog says

The USS Pasadena entered idle status in January 2025 but isn't scheduled for decommissioning until November 2028. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Alfred Coffield/Released The Navy's maintenance problems are creating a growing backlog of submarines awaiting decommissioning. 15 subs could spend 14,000 days idle through 2030, costing the Navy more than $3 billion. The GAO says the Navy hasn't fully evaluated options that could reduce the backlog. Severe backlogs could ...