Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro Orders Review of Service’s Shipbuilding Portfolio

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, a past Potomac Officers Club and 2023 Wash100 awardee, has directed Nickolas Guertin, the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition and Vice Adm. James Downey, the commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, to review the service’s shipbuilding portfolio.

According to Del Toro, the review would determine if shipbuilders and suppliers are still dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when it comes to Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and Constellation-class frigates. Del Toro said the Navy will continue working with the industry and stakeholders to ensure that the service’s shipbuilding capacity would meet national security requirements.

Guertin and Downey must submit an interim report to Del Toro within 45 days, the U.S. Navy said.

Del Toro’s order comes after Rear Adm. Fred Pyle, director of surface warfare at the Navy and a past POC speaker, said the military branch needs to include more frigates and smaller ships to balance capabilities. According to Pyle, the Constellation-class frigate offers similar capabilities as the larger Arleigh Burke-class destroyers at a more affordable price point.

Pyle said the Navy plans to produce four frigates annually.