U.S. Navy Announces New Strategy To Counter China’s Military Power By 2027

The United States Navy has released a new “Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy” detailing its intentions to counter China’s increasing military power.

The plan released on September 19, 2024, focuses on the Navy’s intentions to be fully prepared to fight the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by 2027.

As per the plan, the Navy has set two major goals: strengthening its long-term strategic advantage and being prepared for a possible conflict with China by 2027.

These goals will be achieved through “Project 33” and increased naval integration into the Joint warfighting ecosystem, which includes coordination across all U.S. military branches.

According to an earlier Department of Defense report titled ” The Ambitious Dragon, ” this timeframe is directly linked to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s goal of having the PLA capable of invading Taiwan by 2030.

Pentagon reports that Xi will likely start merging Taiwan and mainland China by 2030 as part of his historical legacy, with preparations to be completed by 2027.

Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the US Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations, addressed the strategic plan and highlighted the need for fleet modernization and combat readiness.

Franchetti stated that the challenge posed by China is not limited to the size of its naval fleet but also includes advanced multi-domain threats such as precision warfare, dual-use infrastructure, and an expanding nuclear arsenal.

According to the report, China’s expansion of maritime militia and grey zone campaigns complicates the risk scenario even further. The plan also acknowledged Russia’s military presence, with the Navy stating that, despite being “wounded and isolated” by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, Russia continues to pose a technological and operational threat in the East Asian region.

Franchetti added that the Navy is gaining valuable insights from the ongoing Red and Black Sea conflicts.

The Navy’s experience in Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels engaged in long-term fights with US forces, has allowed it to advance its weapons engagement techniques further. Similarly, Ukraine’s success in defeating Russian naval forces in the Black Sea has influenced U.S. strategies for sea denial and defense.

The plan also listed issues such as maintenance delays, which limit the Navy’s ability to deploy ships on time. Franchetti set an ambitious goal of having 80% of the fleet battle-ready at all times, admitting that this would be a “stretch goal.”

She stated the importance of upgrading the Navy’s infrastructure, increasing the use of drones and autonomous systems, and recruiting skilled personnel to achieve this level of readiness.

Franchetti’s strategic vision includes integrating unmanned surface vessels and artificial intelligence into the Navy’s operations. The development of these technologies and a highly trained force capable of operating and repairing them are considered essential for maintaining the US military’s competitive edge in future conflicts.

The Navy’s main objective is to ensure that they are ready to deploy quickly and effectively when the nation calls on its forces. While the plan acknowledges that Congress has imposed funding limits, it adds that the Navy must collaborate more effectively with the Army, Air Force, Marines, and the newly established Space Force.

While China stays ahead of the United States in shipbuilding, Franchetti stated that the Navy must focus on maximizing combined operational effectiveness across all military divisions to maintain its global maritime dominance.

Reference: US Navy, Fox News

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Source: Maritime Shipping News