The US Navy's submarine-building program, which is crucial to Australia's naval fleet under the AUKUS security pact, is facing significant delays. A critical construction contract has been outstanding for 28 months, and new research shows that construction timelines for nuclear-powered submarines are blowing out, with production now 4 years behind schedule. The US Navy aims to increase production to 2.33 submarines per year, but the current rate is 1.1 boats per year, and experts warn that the situation may worsen. The delays and production backlogs threaten the delivery of submarines to Australia, which is expected to receive at least three in the 2030s, and may exacerbate existing concerns about the US's ability to meet its commitments under AUKUS.