U.S. Navy Prepares for Potential Conflict with China
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is accelerating efforts to prepare for a potential conflict with China by 2027. Navy leaders are rethinking ship repairs, upgrades, and crew training to ensure a larger portion of the fleet is combat-ready. Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, commander of the Naval Surface Force Pacific Fleet, emphasized the need for change at the Navy Surface Warfare’s 37th National Symposium. The Navy has faced significant challenges, including construction delays and maintenance issues, which have hindered deployment schedules.
Challenges and Strategic Initiatives
The Navy’s maintenance completion rates have been concerning. In 2022, the completion rate was only 36%, improving to 41% in 2023, with a projected 67% for 2024. These delays have resulted in a backlog of ships in dry dock, affecting operational readiness. The Navy typically aims for one-third of its fleet in maintenance, one-third in training, and one-third ready for deployment. However, persistent delays threaten this balance, raising alarms about the Navy’s ability to respond effectively to a growing Chinese naval presence.
To combat these issues, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, introduced a bold initiative in her 2024 Navigation Plan. She aims for 80% of the fleet to be ready for potential conflict by 2027, a goal she acknowledges is ambitious. Franchetti highlighted the need for a larger fleet and emphasized collaboration with industry and Congress to enhance production capabilities.
At the symposium, Navy leaders discussed actionable steps to support Franchetti’s plan. McLane presented updates to the strategic document “Surface Warfare: The Competitive Edge,” which outlines necessary improvements in combat capabilities. The Navy plans to reduce the basic phase training certification from 15 weeks to an average of 10 weeks by June 2026. This change aims to enhance readiness by ensuring ships are stocked with essential spare parts for maintenance, minimizing downtime.
Additionally, the Navy seeks to complete 71% of major repairs on time, reducing delays significantly. The Naval Sea Systems Command has introduced a five-part plan to ensure timely ship launches and increase maintenance opportunities for existing vessels. Vice Adm. James Downey, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command, assured that maintenance would not be deferred, but rather streamlined to enhance efficiency.
The Navy’s focus on simplicity in ship design is also crucial. Experts argue that ease of maintenance should be a top priority, recalling how ships in the past could be quickly repaired and returned to combat. However, the current maintenance backlog poses a significant challenge, and leaders acknowledge that achieving the 2027 goal will require careful management of resources and capabilities.
As the Navy prepares for potential conflict, it faces the dual challenge of maintaining operational readiness while addressing systemic issues within its fleet. The path forward will demand strategic trade-offs and a commitment to enhancing the Navy’s overall combat effectiveness.
Source: https://www.stripes.com/
