The U.S. Navy commissioned the 22nd Virginia Class Boat the USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) on October 16th. The goal is to have an attack boat force of 66 total SSNs, however the number will most likely reach only 46 by 2030. The current force totals 50 boats of which 26 are Los Angeles Class, 3 Seawolf and 21 Virigina class, now reaching 22.
Meanwhile Brazil has reached a milestone in development of its first nuclear-powered submarine. Last week the Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN) and the Brazilian Navy hosted a joint “Cutting Ceremony” of the first plate of the qualification section of the (SCPN) Álvaro Alberto; the name honors Admiral Álvaro Alberto, one of the first nuclear scholars in Brazil. The qualification section is the first section which could effectively be part of the submarine’s resistant hull. The Álvaro Alberto is expected to be launched in 2031 and commissioned in 2034 at a cost of $ 2.4 Billion (US). The Álvaro Alberto will be proceeded by 4 conventionally powered boats entering service between 2022 and 2025.