Senator Wicker Statement on Amphibious Multi-Ship Buy

WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro recently informed Congressional leaders that the Navy will pursue a multi-ship buy for four America-classand San Antonio-class amphibious warships through FY29, potentially saving the taxpayer nearly $1 billion through additional efficiencies. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response:

"Today is a great day for American shipbuilding and our Navy's ability to deter China in the years ahead," Senator Wicker said. "As I have long noted - including in my recent "Peace Through Strength" report - the multi-ship buy of warships is a cost-effective way to provide stability for the industrial base on key shipbuilding programs. I look forward to seeing these contracts through to their execution, and I believe that additional benefits could be obtained if we increase funding for material procurement in bulk."

Specifically, the block-buy would encompass the following ships:

• LPD-33 in FY25
• LPD-34 in FY27
• LHA-10 in FY27
• LPD-35 in FY29