Navy cancels four Constellation‑class frigates
The U.S. Navy will cancel orders for four planned Constellation‑class frigates, effectively ending the broader program first awarded to Fincantieri in 2020, while allowing two ships already under construction in Marinette, Wisconsin to proceed. Officials said extensive design modifications delayed construction by years and the cancellations will free capacity for vessels that can be designed and built more quickly.
📌 Key Facts
- Navy to proceed with 2 frigates in build; cancels 4 additional hulls
- Constellation‑class program was awarded to Fincantieri in 2020
- Decision aims to free shipyard capacity after delays from design changes
📊 Relevant Data
The U.S. Navy originally planned to procure at least 20 Constellation-class frigates as part of its small surface combatant strategy.
Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program — Congress.gov
The delivery of the first Constellation-class frigate has been delayed by three years, from 2026 to 2029, resulting in an estimated cost of about $1.5 billion due to extensive design modifications.
Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program — USNI News
China's shipbuilding capacity is approximately 232 times greater than that of the United States, with 23,250,000 tons compared to less than 100,000 tons, largely due to China's dominance in global commercial shipbuilding which supports its military efforts.
China's Shipbuilding Capacity is 232 Times Greater Than That of the United States — Alliance for American Manufacturing
China has over 370 warships compared to the U.S. Navy's 296, although the U.S. maintains superiority in total tonnage and technological capabilities.
The breakneck speed of China's shipbuilding: How Chinese Navy is preparing to operate anywhere across the globe — The Economic Times
The U.S. Navy retired its last Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in 2015, creating a gap in frigate capabilities that the Constellation-class was designed to address amid growing naval threats.
List of frigates of the United States Navy — Wikipedia
Design changes to the Constellation-class frigate, including modifications for U.S. Navy survivability standards and weapon systems integration, have resulted in the ship being 13% overweight and contributed to construction delays.
Report: Constellation-Class Frigate is Three Years Late, 13% Overweight — The Maritime Executive