Developing new capabilities for the future is important, but not at the expense of readiness today. The recent mention of a 500ship fleet by the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael Gilday, has inspired some optimism but, on closer examination, this proposal relies heavily on the purchase of 150 unmanned vessels. The Navy’s current approach to the use of unmanned surface vessels is of particular concern, as the concept of operations for these platforms is poorly defined, and the technology far from mature. After pushback from Congress, the Navy has begun some refocusing on maturing these capabilities before requesting significant investments. Unfortunately, the Navy’s latest plan retires ships at a faster rate than new ones can be built. Naval aviation procurement dropped 15.6% over 2021, even as the Navy speeds up F/A-18 retirements. Despite repeated design failures and an inability to field several classes of ships within budget, on time, and with the promised capabilities, the Navy continues to decommission ships before the end of their service lives – faster than new ones can be built. The Navy has also under-invested in maintenance capability and infrastructure, and kicked the can down the road on several classes of ships, without a clear path on their development. I supported the Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Appropriations bill only after a bipartisan effort added an additional $25 billion to address some of the most pressing defense – and specifically maritime – needs, but unfortunately it was not passed until five and half months into the fiscal year. Flat defense spending and multiple continuing resolutions in Congress have increased inefficiencies and decreased our readiness. This, in turn, has a damaging effect on our industrial base. Depending on the level of funding that is approved and the timing with which it is passed, budgetary uncertainties create fluctuating work force requirements, prevent future planning, and drive up costs. Every funding delay has an impact on shipbuilding, and on our national security. Our military has operated off a patchwork of short-term funding resolutions that diminishes our purchasing power and our ability to respond to the future threats we face. Without a long-term budget in place, the stability of our defense capabilities and industry is threatened. To ensure the military and the Navy are appropriately supported, Congress must adequately fund our armed forces. I have consistently advocated a 3-5% ‘real growth’ annual increase in defense spending, but in light of today’s challenges, this number must be even higher. Congress must prioritize funding for the military, on time, for the entire fiscal year. This should not be political – this should be about doing what’s right for our armed forces, our communities, and our national defense. A robust maritime strategy will help the Navy explain to Congress and the American people the importance – and, indeed, the urgency – these critical investments. United States Representative Elaine Luria (VA-D) represents Virginia’s Second Congressional District – which encompasses some of the state’s better known naval facilities. Prior to entering Congress in 2018, she served two decades in the US Navy, retiring in the rank of Commander. She served at sea on six vessels as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, was one of the first women in the Navy’s nuclear power program and among the first female officers to serve the entirety of her career in combatant ships. She deployed to the Middle East and Western Pacific, culminating her naval career by commanding a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors. Congresswoman Luria serves as Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security. Of all members in the House Democratic Caucus, she served the longest on active duty, having completed 20 years of active military service. She is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and received a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University. As Ukraine fights Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion, and China continues its threatening behavior in the Western Pacific, the United States needs a robust and comprehensive maritime strategy, with a defense budget to support it. We need to fully commit to our maritime national defense, and be clear that we will act to defend our partners, allies, and national interests. The Department of Defense (DoD) has yet to fully define its strategy of ‘integrated deterrence,’ while it continues to make budgetary requests for new, unproven technologies. To deter China, we must invest in the fleet of today, and also aggressively grow our fleet to address future challenges, demonstrating clearly that we are committed to ensuring security around the world, with a distinct focus on maritime challenges in the Pacific. 64 · MT 2/2022 Rear Echelon Elaine Luria The US Needs a Maritime Defense Strategy – and a Budget That Supports It
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