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The U.S. Navy is extending the service life of Ohio-class submarines to prevent capability gaps if Columbia-class production is delayed. The USS Ohio and USS Florida will be repurposed for new roles involving special operations forces.

The Navy has previously extended the Ohio-class service life from 30 to 42 years. Submarines meeting specific criteria will undergo maintenance to remain operational for an additional three years. Concurrently, delays in the Virginia-class Block V and Columbia-class programs, attributed to labor shortages and aging infrastructure, raise concerns about future naval capabilities. The Ohio-class life extension is deemed critical as the Navy navigates these challenges.