Trump’s focus on Navy shipbuilding needed, but not enough, defense analyst says

In a bid to rejuvenate the struggling U.S. shipbuilding industry, President Donald Trump announced the establishment of a White House shipbuilding office during his recent address to Congress. This initiative seeks to address the significant challenges facing the Navy, including construction delays and a dwindling fleet. Experts emphasize that while this move is a step in the right direction, a comprehensive, long-term strategy will be essential to compete with China’s rapidly expanding naval capabilities.

Challenges Facing U.S. Shipbuilding

Numerous issues, including workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions have plagued the Navy’s shipbuilding efforts. According to the Navy’s fiscal 2025 shipbuilding plan, the service anticipates having only 287 ships by 2025, falling short of its goal of 313 vessels. This shortfall comes as China, the U.S.’s primary military competitor, is projected to grow its fleet to 425 ships by 2030.

Cynthia Cook, a defense analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), noted that the U.S. must adopt a whole-of-government approach to shipbuilding. She emphasized the need for the new office to streamline the procurement and design processes for Navy ships. “The idea of becoming competitive in shipbuilding can happen, but it would be really expensive,” Cook stated. She highlighted that the U.S. could subsidize shipbuilding to compete, but expanding capacity and addressing tactical challenges would be complex.

The Navy’s reliance on private shipbuilding contractors has also come under scrutiny. A federal watchdog report revealed that 82% of ships currently under construction are experiencing delays, with some projects lagging by more than three years. This has raised concerns about the Navy’s ability to meet its operational requirements.

Strategic Recommendations for Improvement

Experts suggest that collaboration between the government and the commercial sector is crucial for revitalizing the shipbuilding industry. Shelby Oakley, director of the Government Accountability Office’s national security acquisitions team, pointed out that the Navy often overlooks successful practices from commercial shipbuilding. She cited the Constellation-class frigate program as an example of the Navy’s struggles, noting that design changes during construction have led to significant delays.

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Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., echoed this sentiment, urging the Navy to adopt more practical vessel designs that align with commercial industry practices. The CSIS report further underscores the need for the U.S. to work with allies to enhance shipbuilding capacities outside of China, which currently dominates the global market with over 53% of commercial shipbuilding.

In response to Trump’s announcement, the Shipbuilders Council of America expressed support for the new office, emphasizing the importance of industry-government collaboration to ensure the U.S. remains a maritime power. Matthew Paxton, president of the council, stated that fully utilizing domestic shipyard capacity could create thousands of skilled jobs and restore American competitiveness.

As the U.S. embarks on this new initiative, experts warn that a sustained commitment from future administrations will be necessary to address the long-standing challenges in the shipbuilding sector and to secure the nation’s maritime future.