The U.S. Navy confirmed that the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines, on September 23, 2025. The submarine moored alongside the forward-deployed tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), reinforcing U.S. undersea power in the Indo-Pacific amid rising regional tensions.
Converted from a ballistic-missile platform to a guided-missile configuration, USS Ohio carries 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles across 22 vertical launch tubes and supports special operations forces with two dry-deck shelters, accommodating up to 66 personnel for covert missions.
Powered by an S8G pressurized water reactor, the Ohio can remain submerged for months, while advanced quieting technologies make it extremely difficult to detect. USS Frank Cable provides at-sea maintenance, weapons handling, and logistical support, enabling sustained forward deployment of high-end naval assets.
Subic Bay’s strategic deepwater port, proximity to key maritime chokepoints, and U.S.-Philippine defense cooperation make it an ideal forward base. The deployment underscores the U.S. Navy’s ability to project power, maintain deterrence, and support allied interests with both conventional strike and covert operational capability in the Indo-Pacific.
