US Navy to retire USS Boise, redirect funds for new submarine classes

April 13, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The US Navy has revealed its decision to inactivate the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764).

According to a statement from the Department of the Navy, the decision followed what officials described as a rigorous, data-driven assessment of fleet requirements and resource allocation. The move will allow the service to redirect both funding and skilled personnel away from the submarine’s planned overhaul and toward higher-priority programs.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle indicated that the decision, while difficult, was necessary to ensure the Navy remains capable and ready in an evolving threat environment.

He emphasized that reallocating resources would support the timely delivery of more advanced platforms, including Virginia-class submarine and Columbia-class submarine programs, as well as improve the readiness of the existing fleet.

The inactivation of Boise forms part of a wider initiative aimed at optimizing the navy’s force structure. The approach focuses on ensuring that every dollar spent contributes directly to operational readiness and the ability to counter future threats.

The decision also reflects a broader transformation in how the Navy manages its assets, with increased emphasis on efficiency, modernization, and strategic prioritization.

Funds originally earmarked for Boise’s overhaul will now be invested in submarine construction programs and other key capabilities considered essential for maintaining undersea dominance.

The navy did not specify the exact timeline of the decommissioning.

USS Boise was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned in November 1992. The 109.7-meter submarine is the second naval ship to be named in honor of the city of Boise.