Shipyard revitalization efforts continue through pandemic, Gilday says

The Navy has not seen any major delays to its shipyard revitalization work as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said yesterday at a Senate Armed Services readiness and management support subcommittee hearing.

“I’m sure there have been some slight delays, but nothing that has popped a red flag at my level to raise significant concern,” he said.

The Navy’s $21 billion Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan aims to improve the infrastructure in its four public shipyards. Maintenance delays have long plagued the service.

Gilday said the plan is a priority and noted there are nine construction projects across the four public shipyards, all of which are on track.

The Navy is investing an additional $3.5 billion across the future years defense program for the plan, Gilday said. The service’s typical military construction budget is $1 billion a year, Gilday said.

“I am confident we are heading in the right direction, that is, the right degree of prioritization and resources against the plan,” he said.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) asked Gilday about the plan and said she is “very interested in ensuring the Shipyard Optimization Plan goes forward as envisioned.”