Langevin Applauds Electric Boat for Navy Contract

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, welcomed the Committee’s Chairman, Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), to General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Quonset facilities yesterday, at the same time celebrating an announcement this week by the United States Navy that Electric Boat will be the prime contractor for the Ohio Replacement program.

“It is clear that the Electric Boat facilities in both Quonset Point and over the border in Groton, Connecticut, are integral to the security of our nation’s naval fleet, as was demonstrated by Chairman Thornberry’s visit to Rhode Island,” said Langevin. “I am incredibly proud of Rhode Island’s robust defense industry and of the contributions our state has made to national security at home, abroad, and at sea.”

Electric Boat is already in the process of designing 12 ballistic-missile submarines in order to address an impending submarine shortfall and ensure our continued naval superiority. Additionally, while the Navy had previously planned to build only one Virginia-class submarine in 2021, this week’s announcement instead called for a second attack submarine, continuing the two-per-year procurement schedule through at least 2023. This decision will not only preserve the strength of the fleet, but contribute to the health of the submarine industrial base in Rhode Island.

“Electric Boat employs more than 14,000 people in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and those jobs will continue to grow in order to meet demand and ensure that our military has the resources it needs to effectively protect our nation,” added Langevin. “The Navy’s support of the excellent work being done at Electric Boat is exciting and has tremendous economic significance to our state, but additional advanced procurement funding must be a priority going forward, particularly as we consider the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).”

As co-chair of the Congressional Submarine Caucus, Langevin signed a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, urging continued support and development of the Ohio Replacement and Virginia Class submarine programs, and the Virginia Payload Module.