A usually classic ceremony, but now entirely symbolic in the current geopolitical context. The United States unveiled a new Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the USS Massachusetts, on Saturday in the port of Boston.
This is the 25th Virginia-class submarine jointly built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, and the fifth ship in the US Navy to bear the name Massachusetts, the first for a submarine.
Destination: Iran?
“The commissioning of the USS Massachusetts is a moment of pride for Massachusetts and our country, especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation,” enthused Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.
Capable of diving more than 240 meters deep, this fast attack submarine cost over $2.8 billion, nearly 2.5 billion euros. Weighing 8,000 tons, it can carry up to 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles, the cornerstone of American strikes in Iran.
The crew of 147 people also includes 39 women, 16 years after the ban on women serving aboard submarines was lifted. “This ship was designed to accommodate both women and men. It’s fantastic,” praised Sheryl Sandberg, former Chief Operating Officer of Meta and sponsor of the ship. These sailors inspire not only me but all little girls, giving them hope that they can accomplish anything.”
The destination of the USS Massachusetts is still unknown. It could quickly head to the Middle East or Asia, where an American submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka earlier this month, amid the conflict with Iran.
