Forbes - It's A True Emergency—Our Navy Is Falling Dangerously Behind China's
Steve Forbes discusses the urgent need for the U.S. to address its declining naval power compared to China. China has been rapidly expanding its naval capabilities, aiming to control global commerce and end freedom of navigation. The U.S. Navy is lagging, with fewer ships and outdated shipbuilding capabilities. Forbes suggests that the U.S. should collaborate with advanced shipyards in South Korea and Japan to build naval vessels. This partnership could help bridge the gap in technology, engineering, and workforce skills. Forbes also mentions a recent memorandum of understanding between Huntington Ingalls Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries to explore collaboration opportunities. He advocates for legal changes to allow construction of U.S. naval vessels in South Korea and Japan, emphasizing the need to repeal the Jones Act, which has hindered U.S. shipbuilding.
Key Points:
- China's naval expansion threatens global commerce and navigation freedom.
- The U.S. Navy has fewer ships and outdated shipbuilding capabilities.
- Collaborating with South Korean and Japanese shipyards can bridge the gap.
- A memorandum exists between U.S. and South Korean shipbuilders for collaboration.
- Legal changes are needed to allow foreign construction of U.S. naval vessels.
Details:
1. 🚨 Urgent Naval Concerns: A Call to Action
- The United States Navy is experiencing a critical lag behind China's rapidly expanding naval forces, posing a significant national security threat.
- To address this imbalance, immediate action is required, focusing on enhancing and expanding the American naval fleet.
- Proposed strategies include ramping up shipbuilding capacities and investing in cutting-edge naval technologies, such as autonomous vessels and advanced missile systems.
- Specific goals could involve increasing the fleet size by 20% over the next decade and prioritizing the development of next-generation aircraft carriers and submarines.
- Implementing these measures is crucial to restoring the U.S. Navy's global competitive edge and ensuring national security in the face of evolving threats.
2. 🎙️ Introduction: Navigating Turbulent Waters
- Introduce the theme with specific insights, such as challenges faced in turbulent conditions and strategies for navigation.
- Provide context or background information that sets up the main discussion points.
- Ensure a smooth transition to the main content by outlining what will be covered in subsequent sections.
3. 🌊 China's Naval Expansion: A Strategic Threat
3.1. Introduction to China's Naval Strategy
3.2. Strategic Implications of Naval Expansion
3.3. Current Naval Capabilities and Future Projections
4. ⚔️ Challenges to Freedom of the Seas
- Freedom of navigation for international seaways has been a consistent American policy for over two centuries, ensuring unimpeded passage for commercial and military vessels.
- China is actively challenging this policy, particularly in the South China Sea, where it seeks to assert control and restrict navigation rights.
- Beijing has constructed numerous artificial islands in the South China Sea, transforming them into fortified military bases, thereby increasing its strategic military reach and potentially disrupting international shipping routes.
- These developments represent a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics, as China's actions could lead to increased tensions and confrontations in a region that is crucial for global trade.
- The international community, including the United States, has expressed concerns over the potential implications for regional stability and the precedent it sets for other maritime disputes worldwide.
5. 📈 China's Growing Naval Supremacy
5.1. China's Naval Capabilities and Expansion
5.2. Strategic Implications and Regional Influence
6. 🚢 The Dilemma of US Shipbuilding
- China has 7,000 oceangoing vessels compared to the US's under 300.
- In 2023, Chinese shipyards had 1,700 ships on order, whereas US shipyards had only five.
- The cost of building a commercial vessel in the US is almost five times higher than in South Korea and Japan.
- US shipbuilding technology lags behind that of South Korea and Japan.
- The decline of US shipbuilding began in the late 20th century due to competition and policy changes.
- US shipyards face high labor costs and regulatory hurdles contributing to their challenges.
- Potential solutions include investing in advanced technologies and revising maritime policies to be more competitive.
7. 🇰🇷 South Korea's Superior Shipbuilding Capacity
- Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), South Korea's largest shipbuilder, is constructing a destroyer for the Korean Navy at less than half the cost and in significantly less time than similar ships built elsewhere, demonstrating a strategic cost and time efficiency advantage.
- The destroyer incorporates American parts and technology, making it comparable to a US warship, highlighting South Korea's ability to integrate advanced international technologies.
- HHI's current projects include naval vessels for New Zealand, the Philippines, and Peru, indicating its strong international presence and competitive edge in global shipbuilding.
- South Korea's shipbuilding capabilities are driven by advanced technology, skilled engineering, and a robust workforce, placing it significantly ahead of other nations in the industry.
- Compared to other leading shipbuilding countries, South Korea's advancements provide strategic advantages in global naval dynamics, potentially influencing international maritime security and partnerships.
8. 🤝 Strategic Partnerships with South Korea and Japan
- The gap between the US and China in shipbuilding is too large to close quickly, suggesting a strategic opportunity for the US to partner with advanced shipyards in South Korea and Japan.
- A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Huntington Ingalls Industries (America's largest military shipbuilder) and Hyundai Heavy Industries to explore collaboration on accelerating ship production for defense and commercial projects.
- Hyundai Heavy Industries and another major South Korean shipyard have obtained approval to perform repair and maintenance on certain American naval vessels, enhancing the strategic partnership.
9. 🏛️ Urgent Legislative Changes for Naval Competitiveness
- Constructing vessels in South Korea and Japan is currently banned under U.S. law, but an exemption could be given on national security grounds to enhance naval competitiveness.
- Congress should cement this exemption into law to support the U.S. Navy's strategic needs.
- Repealing the Jones Act is recommended due to its unintended adverse effects on U.S. shipbuilding competitiveness.
- The Jones Act was originally intended to protect U.S. shipbuilders but has increased costs and limited competitiveness.
- Implementing these legislative changes is critical for maintaining the U.S.'s naval edge in a competitive global environment.