U.S. Navy Strengthens Submarine Force with Commissioning of 24th Virginia-Class USS Iowa.

The U.S. Navy officially commissioned its 24th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, USS Iowa (SSN 797), during a traditional ceremony on April 5, 2025, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. This milestone represents a strategic advancement in the ongoing expansion and modernization of the U.S. undersea fleet, at a time when global naval powers are intensifying efforts to assert dominance beneath the surface.
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U.S. sailors assigned to the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Iowa (SSN 797) man the rails during a commissioning ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., on April 5, 2025.  (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The commissioning of USS Iowa Virginia-class fast-attack submarine underscores the U.S. Navy’s commitment to sustaining undersea dominance amid growing competition from adversarial navies, particularly China and Russia. With 24 Virginia-class submarines now active and more under construction, the U.S. maintains the world’s largest and most technologically advanced attack submarine force. This expansion is especially critical as China accelerates the growth of its submarine fleet, currently estimated to include more than 60 submarines, around a dozen of which are nuclear-powered. China's latest Type 093 and upcoming Type 095 nuclear attack submarines demonstrate growing ambition but still lag behind the U.S. in acoustic stealth, sensor integration, and global reach.

Russia, on the other hand, continues to field a smaller yet highly capable submarine force. Its Yasen-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, such as the Kazan and Novosibirsk, are formidable platforms armed with advanced Kalibr and Oniks cruise missiles, and potentially hypersonic weapons in the near future. While the Yasen-class matches some U.S. capabilities in firepower and speed, its fleet is limited in number due to budget constraints and slower production rates. As of 2025, Russia operates fewer than 10 nuclear-powered attack submarines of the latest generation, making its undersea fleet powerful but less numerous and less globally deployable than its American counterpart.

The Virginia-class submarines, like the newly commissioned USS Iowa, represent the backbone of America's modern undersea warfare capability. These submarines combine advanced stealth, intelligence-gathering systems, and multi-mission versatility to dominate both deep-ocean and littoral combat zones. At 377 feet in length and capable of speeds exceeding 25 knots submerged, the USS Iowa is powered by a nuclear reactor that allows it to operate for over three decades without refueling. Its armament includes 12 vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles, four torpedo tubes for Mk-48 advanced torpedoes, and the ability to deploy unmanned undersea vehicles and special operations forces. Its advanced sonar systems and photonic masts enhance situational awareness while maintaining stealth in contested environments.

As the sixth submarine built under Block IV, USS Iowa incorporates improvements aimed at reducing the number of major maintenance periods and increasing deployment availability. These enhancements enable the submarine to conduct more missions with greater operational efficiency, a critical advantage as undersea threats continue to evolve.

Commander Gregory Coy, the commanding officer of USS Iowa, emphasized the vessel’s frontline readiness, stating, “Today, we become the ‘USS’ Iowa, and I intend to take her to the frontline, continuing the Navy’s overwhelming display of undersea dominance and lethality.” Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro echoed the strategic value of the platform, noting that submarines like Iowa are essential to deterring aggression and projecting power globally.

Looking ahead, the U.S. Navy plans to increase its fast-attack submarine fleet to at least 66 boats, while concurrently advancing the next-generation SSN(X) program to ensure continued superiority into the 2030s and beyond. In comparison, neither China nor Russia is projected to match the United States in the combined quality, quantity, and global deployment capability of its fast-attack submarine fleet.

Since the commissioning of the first Virginia-class submarine, USS Virginia (SSN 774), on October 23, 2004, the class has steadily expanded across four production blocks. Block I and II submarines laid the technological foundation, while Block III introduced major design changes such as the Virginia Payload Tubes. Block IV, which includes the USS Iowa, emphasizes extended deployments and reduced maintenance. As of April 2025, the U.S. Navy’s active Virginia-class submarine fleet includes:

- Block I: USS Virginia (SSN-774), USS Texas (SSN-775), USS Hawaii (SSN-776), USS North Carolina (SSN-777)
- Block II: USS New Hampshire (SSN-778), USS New Mexico (SSN-779), USS Missouri (SSN-780), USS California (SSN-781), USS Mississippi (SSN-782), USS Minnesota (SSN-783)
- Block III: USS North Dakota (SSN-784), USS John Warner (SSN-785), USS Illinois (SSN-786), USS Washington (SSN-787), USS Colorado (SSN-788), USS Indiana (SSN-789), USS South Dakota (SSN-790), USS Delaware (SSN-791)
- Block IV: USS Vermont (SSN-792), USS Oregon (SSN-793), USS Montana (SSN-794), USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795), USS New Jersey (SSN-796), USS Iowa (SSN-797)

As USS Iowa joins the operational ranks, it not only honors the legacy of its battleship namesake but also reinforces America’s strategic edge in undersea warfare at a time when maritime power projection and sea control are critical to national security.