National Defense: ANALYSIS: Shipyard Capacity, China’s Naval Buildup Worries U.S. Military Leaders
While U.S. military leaders exchange fire over what the next-generation of naval fleets will look like, the shipbuilding industrial base is treading water.
Since 2016, the Navy has been working toward a 355-ship fleet goal as outlined in its long-term force structure plan.
But Navy ambitions have been complicated by the Marine Corps’ modernization strategy, prompting back-and-forth between service leadership and lawmakers regarding future fleet size and structure.
In addition, China’s more aggressive moves in the Indo-Pacific — especially considering Taiwan — is elevating the need for greater shipbuilding and maintenance capacity to meet demand, naval power experts said.
Retired Adm. Phil Davidson, former commander of Indo-Pacific Command, predicted in 2021 that the following six years would see China’s threat to naval forces reach its height.
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WNU Editor: I am always asked the question on how big is China's industrial base. I always say you have to see it to believe it. It is beyond massive. Check out this .... 15 Destroyers & 1 Aircraft Carrier Under Construction at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard (Naval News).
In regards to China's naval build-up. The infrastructure is there to mass produce Chinese warships at a rate that will take a few years for the US to match.
On a side note. Check out the Chinese naval base below:
Qingdao naval base pic.twitter.com/MfMX4mkmRF
— 彩云香江 (@louischeung_hk) January 25, 2023