Navy Has 'Handshake Agreement' On Four Ship Amphib Buy, But Pentagon Delaying Decision For New Force Assessment

摘要

The Navy has reached an agreement with shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII] on procuring four amphibious ships at once, but the Pentagon is delaying a decision until a new force structure assessment is completed, an official told a Congressional panel June 8. During a Senate Armed Services’ Seapower Subcommittee hearing Tuesday, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition Jay Stefany said the service completed negotiations about a week ago with HII to document a contract structure allowing the Navy to procure four amphibious ships in accordance with authorities Congress approved in the fiscal year 2021 defense authorization bill.