Commentary
The U.S. Marine Corps has been focusing on addressing the challenges posed by China. The numerical advantage of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in naval warfare near its coast highlights the importance of the Marine Corps’ Force Design initiative to deploy forces suitable for such conflicts. Additionally, resolving the U.S. Navy’s shipbuilding issues is crucial in this context.
However, the effectiveness of Force Design in the Indo-Pacific region depends on the Marine Corps’ ability to deploy unmanned systems, advanced communication networks, missiles, and battlespace awareness. If the forces cannot reach the battle zone and maneuver effectively, the utility of Force Design may be limited.
Ensuring a fleet of at least 31 amphibious ships is critical for success. This fleet should include 10 large-deck LHA/LHD vessels and 21 LPDs, with newer San Antonio-class ships replacing older Whidbey Island and Harpers Ferry-class LSDs.
The Marine Corps’ focus on evolving capabilities for contested littorals led to the development of operational concepts like “operational maneuver from the sea” and “ship to objective maneuver.” These concepts resulted in the adoption of platforms like the LCAC, Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, and MV-22 Osprey to facilitate amphibious operations.
Both the Marine Corps and the Navy face challenges in securing funding for the amphibious fleet necessary to protect U.S. interests globally.
Amphib Ship Readiness Drops to 32 Percent in 2023
In 2023, amphib ship readiness was an appalling 32 percent, down from 45 percent just one year earlier. General Berger highlighted the importance of amphibs to the Marine Corps and the consequences of ships not being available, leading to instances where Marines couldn’t respond to requests for support due to lack of shipping.
The Navy’s amphib fleet plays a crucial role in the littorals, where most of the world’s commerce flows. The Navy faces a significant challenge as it strives to reach the goal of 355 ships outlined in its 30-year plan, necessitating a 30 percent increase in the annual shipbuilding budget. In comparison, China’s navy already boasts over 370 vessels, with the majority concentrated close to home, while the US Navy’s 296 ships have only around 60 operating in the Pacific on any given day.
Amphibious capabilities are crucial, with 31 amphibs currently preserved in the budget. Moving forward, planners must not only maintain this number but also address new requirements arising from evolving warfare scenarios to mitigate risks effectively.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
