President Joe Biden commissioned the USS Delaware, a nuclear assault submarine, on Saturday in a public ceremony postponed by the virus, claiming it would improve national security, though he made no mention of the global crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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“As the commander in chief. I believe it is our sacred obligation as nation to prepare and equip those troops that we send into harm’s way and to care for them and their families when they return home,’’ He told a crowd of invited guests and dignitaries gathered on a restricted section of Wilmington’s pier on a sunny but cool spring day.

In brief remarks, the president noted that the latest Navy ship to bear the Delaware name “is part of a long tradition of serving our nation proudly and strengthening our nation’s security … not just us, but our allies and partners around the world as well. In fact it’s already been doing that for some time.” 

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The Delaware was commissioned while underwater in April 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic raged over the United States, a first for a Navy warship. It has been in training since then.

Following the ceremony, Biden went on a private tour of Delaware. He did not answer reporters’ inquiries about Ukraine.

Jill Biden, the first lady, is the submarine’s sponsor, a job that is said to bring a vessel good luck. During her speech, she exclaimed, “Officers and crew of the USS Delaware, man our ship and bring her to life.” The crew responded, “Aye aye, ma’am” and, as she applauded, sailors in dress uniforms dashed behind her, down onto the submarine, and lined up on the deck.

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Saturday’s commissioning comes during the Ukraine conflict and after Biden unveiled a budget strategy that calls for $795 billion in defence spending, implying an increase for the Pentagon.

Because of inflation, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell argued the proposal would “at best leave our military services merely treading water.” However, some progressive Democrats argued that there was insufficient financing following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan last summer.

The Delaware is the 18th Virginia-class fast attack submarine, with a crew of 136 men, and is designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, as well as fire Tomahawk cruise missiles, according to the Navy.

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The ship is 377 feet long, can dive to depths of more than 800 feet, and can travel at submerged speeds of more than 25 knots. According to a Defense Department press release, the submarine is also designed to operate for more than three decades without the need for refuelling.

According to a Defense Department statement, this is the first time in a century that the name “Delaware” has been chosen for a Navy vessel, and it is the eighth naval ship named after the state that Biden represented in the Senate for 36 years prior to his tenures as vice president and president.