China, others attempt to weaken U.S. Navy

Aircraft from NIMCSG and MKI ARG fly in formation past the USS Nimitz, South China Sea, Feb 12, 2023Photo byU.S. Navy

Through sea battles around the world in World War II, the United States proved to have formidable naval power, arguably the best in the world. This reputation has continued to follow the U.S. Navy (USN) through the past 79 years.

Even though listed as only the fourth largest in the world in size, USN is described by Best Diplomat as the "most potent naval force on the planet, possessing unmatched operational capacity and worldwide reach."

USN's approximate 484 warships include 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The surface force is completed with around 70 destroyers and 22 cruisers, with both classes carrying the Aegis Combat System. This surface force is supplemented by a submarine force some 71 strong that includes 14 ballistic missile submarines and 50 nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) noted, though, in July 2023 that USN is falling behind in its operational requirements. Specifically discussing the nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, Sen. Wicker described the number at the time (49) as being well-short of the military requirement of 66, with a decline to 46 of these boats by 2030.

Similarly, Popular Mechanics published in January that the current 11 aircraft carriers operated by USN falls short of the 15 that are required.

Post-Cold War politics have severely reduced the U.S. Military overall for a variety of reasons. Reductions to the U.S. Army (USA) have been explained by the fact that modern capabilities are changing the way wars are fought on the ground. Having ground-based weapons with longer ranges and greater accuracy reduces the number of soldiers needed.

Former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and a WWII veteran of the Battle of the Bulge Darrell Bush, attends a ceremony. Jan 25, 2024, Arlington, VAPhoto byUS Army

Like-minded theories apply to the U.S. Air Force (USAF), as well. Advancements in drone capabilities have reduced the need for airmen and support personnel. The range of modern aircraft means that bases are not necessarily needed as close to potential enemies as they once were. The creaton of the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and space-based weaponry also has led to the perceived decline in the need for a USAF as large as it once was.

The reduction in USN, though, comes due to cost and not necessarily for the same reasons that the other forces are being dwindled. The newest class of aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford Class, has an estimated building cost of almost $13 billion per ship.

Recent world events indicate that other countries are well-aware of the reduced capabilities of USN and are possibly readily to exploit that. With the continental United States physically isolated from the nation's foes, the country's shores are best-protected by a navy providing the power of the one that ruled the Pacific in World War II. Many within the U.S. Government echo the voice of Sen. Wicker by acknowledging that U.S. Military is not meeting the requirements set forth for the protection of the nation and its allies.

USNI News helps the world keep up-to-date on USN deployments. Part of the U.S. Naval Institute, USNI News provides periodic updates via their website on approximate locations of USN's deployments throughout the world. The information below is largely gleaned from their report of May 28, 2024.

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 28, 2024Photo byUS Naval Institute

Presently, the U.S. shores themselves are well-protected. Part of Expeditionary Strike Group 2, the USS Wasp is sailing along the East Coast of the United States. Similarly, the USS Bataan, another amphibious assault ship, recently departed New York City after Fleet Week and is along the East Coast.

On the other side of the country, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) recently departed its homeport of San Diego, California, and is participating in training exercises along the West Coast. The USS Carl Vinson and its CSG is in the Los Angeles area participating in Fleet Week there. Also just off the West Coast is the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, participating in various training missions.

To the southeast, the USS George Washington CSG recently left homeport and is now off the coast of Argentina, preparing to participate in the Southern Seas 2024 exercise. From there, the Group will be moving toward Japan and the Philippine Sea to swap with the USS Ronald Reagan CSG.

As indicated, though, by its participation in the World Wars and deployment through the Cold War, the U.S. has a history of providing full military commitment to its allies around the world. USN is part of that commitment.

While the world watches the Middle East and Israel, USN has deployed a variety of surface groups to that part of the world. To protect merchant ships of the U.S., U.K., and Israel that have come under attack by the Houthis in Yemen, USN has deployed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG to the Red Sea. To the north of this, the U.S. built a pier to assist with the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza; this pier is supported by USN's U.S. Gaza Pier Detachment, further supported by five USA support vessels, two USNS (civilan-staffed) command vessels, and the MV Roy P Benavidez as administrative oversight and support. Protecting merchant traffic through the Strait of Hormuz are the Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), made up of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Fast Response Cutters (FRCs).

Requiring the collaboration of allies and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partners, USN also is operating in the Black Sea monitoring events in Ukraine its current war with Russia.

Not often discussed by Western press, though, are the rising tensions in East Asia. Since 1950 when the Korean War began, the Korean Peninsula has been a constant powderkeg just waiting for a spark. North Korean leader Kim Jung Un has been increasing this lately with various missile firings over the Yellow Sea, some headed toward but not reaching Japan. Most-recently, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea's official title), attempted to launch a spy satellite into orbit on May 27, despite claims that this would violate various treaties and agreements and despite pleas from South Korea for the launch to not happen. In what some would claim to be a case of karma returning, the rocket carrying the satellite exploded during the first stage of flight.

Avi Mach Mate 3rd Class Damian Guajardo, from McAllen, Texas, signals an MH-60S on take off from the USS Nimitz. Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2024Photo byUS Navy

Even though the Northern Limit Line (NLL) is expressly written into the Armistace between the two Koreas of 1953, the DPRK refuses to acknowledge the location of the line and instead claims that it is located several miles south. As such, when South Korean vessels enter into waters between what the DPRK claims is the NLL and the NLL as in the Armistace, the north has been known to take military action in response. With a similar event occurring mid-May of this year, the DPRK has promised similar retribution for invading what it considers its territorial waters.

Along with North Korea's provocation of the south and its allies, China is also acting aggressively toward neighbors in the region.

Taiwan, once one of the largest trade partners of the United States, is officially a Chinese territory. Since before Japan surrendered Taiwan to China, though the small island has been allowed to govern itself as an independent nation. Under the leadership of Xi Jinpang, though, China has reversed course on this and has declared that it will incorporate Taiwan into the Chinese nation. Unable to do this through the political process as it did with Hong Kong after Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, China has determined that military methods will be necessary to incorporate Taiwan. While Hong Kong and China operate under a "one country, two systems" arrangement, the political landscape in Hong Kong changed such that Beijing is in de-facto control of Hong Kong. Taiwan has had no such change in politics and remains determined to act as a truly democratic society under current rule. To try to wear down the Taiwanese military and people, China has increasingly deployed naval vessels and military aircraft to the area surrounding the island, performing exercises that train in how to invade Taiwan if the order is given. This has caused encounters not only with the Taiwanese military, but also with the U.S. Navy and its aircraft.

Taiwanese soldiers following an undated exerciesPhoto byUS Naval Institute

Taiwan is not the only place where China is attempting to flex its military muscle.

The Escoda Shoal, located in the Spratly Islands, is claimed by both China and the Philippines. Internationally, the atoll is recognized to be part of the Philippines, and Filipino military is still stationed there. China, though, has dispatched its Coast Guard to the area to use military force in threatening Filipino fishermen making their living in the area. This deployment and the actions of the Coast Guard lead some to believe that this area could escalate into a military confrontation with the Philippines.

As the United States has committed to protecting all of these areas against advancement by the Chinese, an escalation of any one of them would involve USN. If the escalations occurred individually, the dominance of USN, its equipment and sailors, would be readily apparent, leading to a quick resolution. With USN in its current state, though, as described by Sen. Wicker, multiple escalations occurring simultaneously, or at least in close timing to each other, would possible degrade USN dominance and potentially lead to its downfall.

It has been said that few things in life happen by coincidence. Therefore, it can be surmised that all of these world "hot spots" are heating up at the same time is also no coincidence. Technological superiority cannot withstand overwhelming numbers of opposition forces.

It is likely that current events are being orchestrated, corrdinated, or exploited by China. Even with only one flare up of any of these situations, USN would be required to respond. In doing so, other areas would then be left vulnerable for attack and escalation, and USN eventually would exhaust its resources such that it would not be able to respond to all.

Whether intentionally or through opportunity, these conflicts can, and likely will, weaken USN response such that China and others will be able to spread their empires.