The Navy is in the early stages of a novel plan to funnel private money into the submarine industrial base. For the private equity group tapped as the service’s partner in this effort, tax incentives, enduring demand for submarines and a tenant-focused business model make this foray into shipbuilding a low-risk venture with promising returns.
The Navy announced the new “public-private collaboration” in September, partnering with the United Submarine Alliance (USA) Qualified Opportunity Fund LP -- a private-equity fund managed by Connecticut-based investment group CapZone Impact Investments LLC -- in what one service official described as a “really big swing” at harnessing private capital for the submarine industrial base.