US Navy wants to decommission some of its newest warships in pivot to China and Russia
- By scrapping 24 ships, including nine new Freedom-class combat vessels, hopes to free up US$50 million per ship annually for other priorities
- But the move would also reduce the size of a fleet that’s already surpassed by China’s in sheer numbers
The navy that once wanted smaller, speedy warships to chase down pirates has made a speedy pivot to Russia and China – and many of those recently built ships could be retired.
The US Navy wants to decommission nine ships in the Freedom-class of littoral combat ships – warships that cost about US$4.5 billion altogether to build.
The Navy contends in its budget proposal that the move would free up US$50 million per ship annually for other priorities. But it would also reduce the size of the fleet that is already surpassed by China in sheer numbers, something that could cause members of Congress to balk.
Admiral Mike Gilday, chief of naval operations, defended the proposal that emphasises long-range weapons and modern warships, while shedding other ships ill equipped to face current threats.
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“We need a ready, capable, lethal force more than we need a bigger force that’s less ready, less lethal, and less capable,” he said Monday at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space symposium in Maryland.
