R/I ~ AA
.
“I’ve concluded, consistent with the analysis, that we need an able force of over 500 ships,” the Navy’s top admiral told attendees at the West 2022 conference in San Diego.
WEST 2022: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday today offered a glimpse at a specific composition of ships he believes should make up the Navy’s future fleet, just months before a new budget request and service force structure assessment are due to be unveiled.
…..
With no fleshed out, up-to-date long-term shipbuilding plan available — something the Pentagon has promised in the next budget cycle — the admiral’s remarks, delivered as the fiscal 2023 budget is being finalized, are notable
…..
By that, Gilday means he wants to see 12 aircraft carriers. In terms of amphibious ships, he said the Navy needs nine big deck amphibious vessels and somewhere between 20 and 30 smaller ships, presumably referring to the Marine Corps’ Light Amphibious Warship, to support them.
“60 destroyers and probably 50 frigates, 70 attack submarines and a dozen ballistic missile submarines,” Gilday continued. “About 100 support ships, and probably looking into the future, 150 unmanned.”
Story Continues
Bugs Marlowe