They Cost a Lot

We are aware that everything the government, and especially the military, constructs will be expensive. Nobody produces tanks and aircraft under a budget brand. However, what is a nuclear submarine used for today? Could you possibly save money for it? Depending on whether you're Elon Musk or not.

A Virginia class submarine, which has been operational since 2004, will cost about $3.45 billion in 2021. That sum of money is enormous.

The US government spent about $46 billion developing nuclear submarine propulsion during the Cold War, and an additional $220 billion was needed to build the submarines. Since it spans a period of roughly 40 years, it is challenging to account for inflation; yet, even if you start with 1991, you are still looking at a total of more than $500 billion.