What will it take to bring back US naval production? (opens in new tab)

Years of budget shortfalls led to a decline in Navy force levels from a Reagan-era peak of 597 warships in 1987, to 293 battle force ships as of October 1 2025. The fiscal 2026 budget plan for 19 new ships marked a serious reversal of that trend. The new fiscal 2027 budget adds 18 battle…