With such a massive military, it is not surprising that America has the most powerful navy in the world. A strong navy is integral to any advanced military, as they possess craft capable of traversing large oceans efficiently and effectively. Since the earth is large and oceans are sprawling, it makes sense that quality vessels are an absolute necessity for any world power. Our arsenal is made up of a wide range of seafaring vehicles, including destroyers, warships, cruisers, submarines, amphibious assault support ships, and aircraft carriers.
The United States Navy’s assortment of sea-worthy vessels range from ships that entered service multiple decades ago to craft that are relatively new. Many of the classic Nimitz-class carriers that have defined the U.S. Navy are now three decades old. Because the Navy strives to remain a top-of-the-line fleet, it is slowly replacing these older craft. One example of a new craft is the USS Kansas City, a littoral combat ship which entered service in June of 2020.
To determine the U.S. Navy’s newest warships, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the military data siteWorld Directory of Modern Military Warships’ directory of all active ships in the U.S. and cross-referenced with data from theNaval Vessel Register. We compiled data on all ships and submarines — 30 in total — that have been commissioned in the service of the U.S. Navy for five years or less and ranked them by age. It should be noted that this list is current as of February 2024.
Why Are We Writing About America’s Navy?
The US Navy plays a critical role in the national security of the country. A strong maritime power projects strength across the globe and helps to maintain stability. However, having a formidable Navy comes with a high price tag. The Navy is the second highest military spender after the Air Force, receiving funding of $202.6 billion in 2023.
Here is a look at the 30 newest ships to enter the U.S. Navy: