Expert's warning to US Navy on China: Bigger fleet almost always wins

Expert's warning to US Navy on China: Bigger fleet almost always wins

As China continues to grow what is already the world’s largest navy, a professor at the US Naval War College has a warning for American military planners: In naval warfare, the

As China continues to grow what is already the world’s largest navy, a professor at the US Naval War College has a warning for American military planners: In naval warfare, the

bigger fleet almost always wins. Pentagon leaders have identified China as the US military’s “pacing threat.” But fleet size numbers show that the US military can’t keep

bigger fleet almost always wins. Pentagon leaders have identified China as the US military’s “pacing threat.” But fleet size numbers show that the US military can’t keep

pace with China’s naval growth. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) surpassed the US Navy in fleet size sometime around 2020 and now has around 340 warships, according

pace with China’s naval growth. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) surpassed the US Navy in fleet size sometime around 2020 and now has around 340 warships, according

to the Pentagon’s 2022 China Military Power Report, released in November. China’s fleet is expected to grow to 400 ships in the next two years, the report says. Meanwhile,

to the Pentagon’s 2022 China Military Power Report, released in November. China’s fleet is expected to grow to 400 ships in the next two years, the report says. Meanwhile,

the US fleet sits under 300 ships, and the Pentagon’s goal is to have 350 manned ships, still well behind China, by 2045, according to the US Navy’s Navigation Plan 2022 released

the US fleet sits under 300 ships, and the Pentagon’s goal is to have 350 manned ships, still well behind China, by 2045, according to the US Navy’s Navigation Plan 2022 released

last summer. So to compete, US military leaders are counting on technology. That same document says, “the world is entering a new age of warfare, one in which the

last summer. So to compete, US military leaders are counting on technology. That same document says, “the world is entering a new age of warfare, one in which the

integration of technology, concepts, partners, and systems — more than fleet size alone — will determine victory in conflict.” Not so fast, says Sam Tangredi, the Leidos

integration of technology, concepts, partners, and systems — more than fleet size alone — will determine victory in conflict.” Not so fast, says Sam Tangredi, the Leidos

Chair of Future Warfare Studies at the US Naval War College. If history is any lesson, China’s numerical advantage is likely to lead to defeat for the US Navy in any war

Chair of Future Warfare Studies at the US Naval War College. If history is any lesson, China’s numerical advantage is likely to lead to defeat for the US Navy in any war

with China, according to Tangredi’s research, presented in the January issue of the US Naval Institute’s Proceedings magazine.

with China, according to Tangredi’s research, presented in the January issue of the US Naval Institute’s Proceedings magazine.