The U.S. Department of Naval Operations on Monday (Jan. 11) released a 10-year plan outlining future U.S. Navy priorities to maintain its maritime military advantage over China and Russia.
In the 18-page report, U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said, “China and Russia are now undermining the free and open maritime conditions that have long benefited so many.”
He added, “Both countries seek to unfairly control valuable maritime resources beyond their territorial waters, and both are intimidating their neighbors and imposing illegal demands with the threat of force. Both countries have built sophisticated networks of sensors and long-range missiles to put vital waterways at risk.”
He also mentioned that China is actively building a navy to rival that of the United States and that China is the “most pressing long-term strategic threat” to the United States.
“The Navy’s strategic direction remains clear,” Gilday said, “We have no time to waste, and our actions in this decade will establish the balance of maritime power for the rest of this century.”
In the report, Gilday spelled out four priorities for the Navy: investing in training and education for sailors to eliminate bias and prejudice; operational readiness by ensuring that certain ship repairs are completed on time; improving capabilities by investing in cyber and intelligence and weapons; and having the capacity for a large, mixed fleet of manned and unmanned ships.
The report also mentions that the U.S. will work with allies and partners to meet this challenge by deploying forces to deter aggression and preserve freedom of the seas.
A new maritime strategy report jointly signed by senior officials from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard last month says the United States must counter China’s rapidly growing military power and aggressive behavior in the Pacific or risk losing its status as the world’s most powerful maritime military force.
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