Navy Announces 13 Fiscal 2026 Ship Retirements

Most of the planned decommissionings will take place in the summer of 2026.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The U.S. Navy has announced plans to retire 13 ships during fiscal year 2026, including two ships that were originally scheduled for decommissioning in 2025. The list includes six warships and seven auxiliary ships, with most of the retirements planned for the summer months.

Why it matters

The Navy's ship retirement plan reflects ongoing efforts to modernize and streamline its fleet, with older vessels being replaced by newer, more capable ships. This move will help the Navy maintain operational readiness and align its resources with evolving strategic priorities.

The details

The two Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers, USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Lake Erie (CG 70), were originally scheduled for decommissioning in fiscal 2025 but will now be retired in 2026. One Los Angeles-class attack submarine, Newport News (SSN 750), was inactivated in January, and another, USS Alexandria (SSN 757), will follow in August. The early Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) will be decommissioned by July, and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) will be decommissioned by September. Three Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oilers and three Watson-class large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships will also be transferred to the Maritime Administration.

  • In January, the Los Angeles-class attack submarine Newport News (SSN 750) was inactivated.
  • In August, the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757) will be inactivated.
  • By July, the early Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) will be decommissioned.
  • By September, the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) will be decommissioned.
  • By March, the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) will be transferred to the Maritime Administration.

The players

Rear Admiral M. D. Behning

The acting deputy chief of naval operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, who released the message about the planned ship retirements.

USS Shiloh (CG 67)

A Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser that will be retired in fiscal 2026.

USS Lake Erie (CG 70)

A Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser that will be retired in fiscal 2026.

USS Newport News (SSN 750)

A Los Angeles-class attack submarine that was inactivated in January 2026.

USS Alexandria (SSN 757)

A Los Angeles-class attack submarine that will be inactivated in August 2026.

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What’s next

The Navy will continue its efforts to modernize and streamline its fleet, with additional ship retirements and replacements expected in the coming years.

The takeaway

The Navy's planned ship retirements in fiscal 2026 reflect its ongoing efforts to align its fleet with evolving strategic priorities and operational requirements, as older vessels are replaced by newer, more capable ships.