Defense analysts have long agreed that the U.S. Navy would play a major role in any potential conflict between the United States and China. Implicit in this view is often the sense that the navy’s role will be diminished in potential wartime operations in the European and Middle Eastern theaters. However, this is unlikely. The past two years, and particularly the past 12 months, have seen significant maritime battles occur in both the Middle East and the Black Sea.
In the months since the start of Israel’s war with Hamas, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched missiles and drones, at least one case Unmanned underwater vessels found on both merchant ships, including American ships, and American and British warships. Despite Washington’s convincing claims that its navy and air force have significantly degraded the Houthis’ capabilities, the Houthis continue to use Iranian supplies and advisors and continue to fire weapons at U.S. warships. There is.
In fact, the fighting against the Houthis has become so intense that last week, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of Naval Forces Central Command, said: claimed Arguing that naval combat is on a historic level, he said: “We would have to go back to World War II, when we had ships engaged in combat.” Even if the United States and its allies succeed in quelling Houthi operations, the need for a U.S. presence, especially a naval presence, in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea will be necessary to deter further aggression by Iran or other non-state actors. Gender remains important. It’s a sponsor.
The Black Sea was also the scene of large-scale maritime operations. Since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the Ukrainian military has successfully targeted Russian surface warships, most notably on April 13, 2022, when Kiev’s Neptune anti-ship missile seriously damaged the Salva-class cruiser Moscow. This is when serious damage is caused. The next day the ship sank.
In the past seven months, Ukrainian forces have destroyed or damaged about a third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, including as many as 25 Russian surface ships. These include four Russian Ropcha-class amphibious landing ships, including the Caesar Kunikov, which was equipped with a Magura V surface drone. sank In addition, a Storm Shadow cruise missile destroyed a Kilo-class attack submarine, and earlier this month a Ukrainian Navy drone also sank a missile corvette. As a result of its maritime successes, Ukraine has resumed grain shipments through the Black Sea for the first time since the Russian invasion.
American warships are not active in the Black Sea. According to Turkey’s interpretation, Turkey is preventing them from doing so. montreux convention. Nevertheless, Turkey has allowed naval vessels to enter Istanbul, much to the surprise of Moscow. Even after the war ends, the need for a U.S. presence adjacent to the Black Sea will only increase, as Russia remains a threat to independent Ukraine.
Finally, there is a growing need for a U.S. naval presence in the Arctic and Baltic regions. Russia withdrew from the Baltic Council this week. Stop Payments to the Arctic Council. Both actions are further signs of Russia’s hostility toward NATO, which controls the Baltic Sea, intensifies exercises in the far north, and holds seven of the eight seats in the Arctic Council, eight of which are Russia itself.
All of these developments come in addition to the continued need for naval forces in the Pacific, as well as the need for navies to maintain sufficient forces to maintain a presence in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, the sites of Houthi attacks, and in both countries’ maritime zones. It shows that you must have it. Eastern Mediterranean and Arctic.
The administration’s 2024 shipbuilding budget does little to alleviate the Navy’s shortfall. In reality, nine vessels are required, fewer than the 12 established in fiscal 2023. The Armed Services Committee approved the construction of 10 new ships and also reduced the number of ships the administration is proposing to retire. Even these adjustments to the shipbuilding budget are insufficient to meet the Navy’s increasing demands, and the appropriations themselves have not yet received Congressional approval.
It will probably be too late for the Navy to expect further relief from Congress in 2024. The next fiscal year is another matter. But the shipbuilding budget must increase significantly by 2025, or the Navy may be forced to abandon at least one mission traditionally considered critical to national security. unknown.
Dov S. Zakheim is Center for Strategic and International Studies and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Foreign Policy Research Institute. From 2001 he served as the Under Secretary of Defense (Inspector General) and Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Defense until 2004, and from 1985 he served as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense until 1987.
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