US Navy Intends to Decommission Some of Its Newest Warships

US Navy Intends to Decommission Some of Its Newest Warships
The USS Detroit, a Freedom-class of littoral combat ship, arrives in Detroit, on Oct. 14, 2016. Carlos Osorio/AP Photo
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PORTLAND, Maine—The Navy that once wanted smaller, speedy warships to chase down pirates has made a speedy pivot to Russia and China—and many of those recently built ships could be retired.

The U.S. Navy wants to decommission nine ships in the Freedom-class of littoral combat ships—warships that cost about $4.5 billion altogether to build.