U.S. Navy to spend $3.5B on 2,800 small boats in 10-year plan

• The U.S. Navy approves a $3.5 billion contract plan to acquire 2,800 small boats and craft over the next decade.
• The program includes patrol boats, special operations craft, and support vessels.
• The deal will be executed through multiple-award contracts with U.S. shipbuilders.

The U.S. Navy announced a $3.5 billion initiative to procure 2,800 small boats and craft in a 10-year plan aimed at strengthening maritime mobility, coastal defense, and special operations support.

The U.S. Navy is preparing to launch a massive, decade-long procurement program to modernize its fleet of small boats, with plans to spend up to $3.5 billion on approximately 2,800 new vessels. The proposed multiple-award contract, managed by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), is designed to simplify and accelerate the process of acquiring a diverse range of boats and craft essential for naval operations worldwide.

Wide Range of Vessels

The acquisition covers a broad set of platforms, from riverine and patrol boats to rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and specialized craft for Navy SEALs and other units. The Navy emphasized that the program is intended to ensure flexibility across global operations, from littoral zones to expeditionary environments.

“These boats are the connective tissue of our naval operations, supporting everything from special warfare to logistics,” a Navy procurement official said.

Enhancing Operational Reach

Instead of relying on a single supplier, the Navy will use a multiple-award contract strategy. Several American shipbuilders will compete for orders over the 10-year period, ensuring both industrial base resilience and cost control.

The plan is seen as a long-term investment in maintaining readiness across the fleet while sustaining U.S. shipbuilding capacity.

Officials noted that small boats remain critical to U.S. operations, particularly in contested maritime environments where larger ships may be vulnerable. By modernizing its fleet of smaller craft, the Navy aims to expand its reach in both gray-zone conflicts and humanitarian missions.