What year is the Columbia class expected to begin taking over for the Ohio class?

The Columbia class submarines are expected to begin replacing the Ohio class submarines starting in 2027. This new class is being developed to enhance the United States' strategic deterrent capability and will offer modernized systems, improved stealth, and increased survivability compared to its predecessor. The transition from the Ohio class to the Columbia class is crucial, as the Ohio class is aging and will be increasingly costly to maintain. By commencing the replacement in 2027, the U.S. Navy aims to ensure a seamless integration of the new fleet into service, maintaining operational readiness and deterrence capabilities. This timeline reflects the implementation milestones defined in defense planning documents.