The US Navy announced on Thursday, October 31, 2024, that it will extend the life of 12 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to remain in service until 2035.

The service extension of these well-maintained Arleigh Burke destroyers will further boost the number as new warships join the fleet, US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said.

The ships included in the announcement are the oldest destroyers in the US Navy’s fleet. The US Navy, in March 2023, announced that it is extending the life of the first ship of the class, the Arleigh Burke (DDG-51).

Ships and service extension periods are:

• USS Barry (DDG-52) – three years – FY28 to FY31
• USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) – five years – FY28 to FY33
• USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) – five years – FY29 to FY34
• USS Stout (DDG-55) – five years – FY29 to FY34
• USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) – five years – FY29 to FY34
• USS Laboon (DDG-58) – five years – FY30 to FY35
• USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) – five years – FY30 to FY35
• USS Stethem (DDG 63) – one year – FY30 to FY31
• USS Carney (DDG-64) – one year – FY31 to FY32
• USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) – five years – FY31 to FY36
• USS Cole (DDG-67) – five years – FY31 to FY36
• USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) – three years – FY32 to FY35

The U.S. Navy’s announcement did not specify the cost of extending the service of the Arleigh Burke destroyers but said that funding is already included in its 2026 budget plans.

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