U.S. Navy Shipbuilding in ‘Terrible State’

The United States Navy’s shipbuilding is at its worst state in 25 years, the AP reported on Sunday.

The U.S. already has fewer warships than China, and that gap is growing. Senior naval analyst Eric Labs is “alarmed” by the Navy’s “terrible state.”

• China has about 370 ships and is expected to have 435 by 2030.
• The U.S. has about 280 ships and is expected to have 300 by the early 2030s.

Details: This problem largely results from cost overruns, labor shortages, last-minute design changes, and shifting defense priorities.

Wisconsin shipyard Fincantieri Marinette Marine is contracted to build six guided-missile frigates, the Navy’s newest surface warship, with options to make four more. But according to Labs, it only has enough workers to build one per year. This overall trend is problematic.

I don’t see a fast, easy way to get out of this problem. It’s taken us a long time to get into it.
—Eric Labs

Prophecy: The Bible prophesies of the rise and fall of America’s unmatched military might. It warns that the U.S.’s decline will contribute to the most destructive war mankind has ever suffered.

Learn more: Read our Trends article “America Has Won Its Last War.”