Rhode Island’s workforce and economy are getting a major boost thanks to a new $18.4 billion U.S. Navy contract awarded to General Dynamics Corp, the parent company of Electric Boat.
The contract, which could be worth even more if all options are exercised, will fund the production of two new Virginia-class fast attack submarines.
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, says the contract is a big win for Rhode Island’s workforce. It will provide more stability for the state’s industrial base while also saving taxpayers money through production efficiencies.
The deal gives $12.4 billion to General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp, with the potential to increase to $17.2 billion if all options are used. Newport News Shipbuilding, part of Huntington Ingalls Industries, gets $1.3 billion.
Work on the submarines will happen in several places, including Quonset Point, R.I., and should be finished by June 2036.
“This is a smart investment that strengthens national security and helps Rhode Island,” Reed says. “Rhode Islanders build the core of these boats and give our country a strategic and technological edge.”
The contract comes at a time when Electric Boat is ramping up hiring. The company expects to need thousands of new workers in Rhode Island in the coming years.
Right now, Electric Boat employs over 24,000 people at its facilities and offices in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Reed has played a key role in securing funding for the submarine program and improvements to the Quonset Business Park. He led efforts to get over $7 billion in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act to support the Virginia-class submarine program.
The senator also helped SENEDIA get multiple federal grants to create a workforce development partnership. This partnership aims to connect up to 5,000 workers with jobs in submarine production.
Full Announcement From Senator Reed
The enormous black cylinders that begin to take shape in the cavernous manufacturing production facilities at Quonset Point provide the United States with an unparalleled strategic deterrent that helps safeguard the nation and provides the U.S. Navy with an unmatched advantage beneath the waves. Thousands of Rhode Island workers make critical contributions to designing, engineering, and building these next generation submarines.
Now, thanks to a new $18.4 billion U.S. Navy contract awarded to General Dynamics Corp, the parent company of Electric Boat, more work will commence on production of two new Virginia-class fast attack submarines.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, has worked for years to strengthen America’s shipbuilding capabilities. Reed called the awarding of the contract: “A major win for Rhode Island’s workforce that will provide added stability for the Ocean State’s industrial base while also achieving cost savings for taxpayers through production efficiencies.”
These contracts include options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract change to $18,445,959,971. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. is awarded $12,418,145,463, and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $17,152,265,971. The Virginia-based Newport News Shipbuilding, which is a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is awarded $1,293,694,000. The awarded amounts include previously announced material awards, including long lead time material and economic ordering quantity material, totaling $2,103,896,000. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut; Newport News, Virginia; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and other locations. Work is expected to be completed by June 2036.
“The awarding of the contract is an important victory – for Rhode Island’s workforce, for Electric Boat and the entire supply chain, and for the Navy,” said Senator Reed.
Senator Reed led efforts to secure over $7 billion in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fully support the Virginia-class submarine program.
In 2018, Electric Boat broke ground on a 1-million-square-foot, $800-million multi-year expansion of its manufacturing facilities at Quonset Point. Senator Reed has worked for years to help fund improvements in and around the Quonset Business Park to help attract and retain business in the area.
“This is a smart investment that bolsters national security and benefits Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders build the very backbone of these boats and provide our nation with a strategic, technological advantage. This contract agreement is a testament to the skill and dedication of our defense manufacturing workforce and the local suppliers who contribute to the production of these next-generation submarines,” said Senator Reed.
While these submarines get their start in Rhode Island, they are completed at two shipyards in Groton, Connecticut and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding facilities in Newport News, Virginia.
So far, the U.S. Navy has taken delivery of 24 Virginia-class submarines and has an additional 16 under contract.
As a result of the escalating submarine production workloads, and due to older workers retiring, Electric Boat has projected it will need to hire thousands of workers to fill jobs in Rhode Island in the coming years. Currently, Electric Boat has over 24,000 employees at its facilities and offices in Rhode Island and Connecticut and is in the midst of a hiring boom.
Hundreds of small businesses across Rhode Island supply the U.S. Department of Defense, and hardworking Rhode Islanders contribute to the creation of a wide range of military products, equipment, and services. Additionally, Rhode Island is home to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport; Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport; and the Naval War College. These facilities, along with leading academic research institutions and a network of suppliers and small businesses, contribute to a defense industry that is boosting Rhode Island’s economy and leading to advancements in technology and innovation.
A recent report by the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) shows that the total direct and indirect economic impact from defense spending in Rhode Island accounted for $7.6 billion in 2022. The report found that Rhode Island’s defense industry is growing and supported a total of 34,068 direct and indirect jobs across the Ocean State with an annual payroll of $3 billion.
Senator Reed helped SENEDIA land multiple federal grants from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a robust regional workforce development partnership that will serve as a pipeline to help connect as many as 5,000 workers with employment opportunities that contribute to the production of submarines.
