Fiasco for Washington as new military frigate is overweight

As the United States struggles to keep pace with China’s rapidly growing navy, a major setback has hit one of its key naval programs. The Constellation-class frigate project is facing serious delays, with the first vessel—originally scheduled for 2026—now not expected to be completed until 2029.

According to The War Zone, the frigate’s design has yet to receive final approval, and significant cost overruns have emerged due to repeated modifications to the ship’s layout. Each vessel is now projected to cost $1.4 billion, up from the initial estimate of $1 billion.

In addition to these delays and budget issues, the ships will be 759 tons heavier than originally planned. This excess weight is expected to significantly impact performance, particularly in terms of speed and maneuverability.

A 2023 report highlighted the stark contrast in naval production capacity between China and the U.S. Chinese shipyards are capable of producing 23.25 million tons, compared to just 100,000 tons in the United States.

(QG - Source: Géo - Picture : © Unsplash)