Defense secretary lays out plan for a massive 500-ship Navy by 2045
- Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Tuesday that the US Navy needs more than 500 ships by 2045 to counter China.
- The Pentagon envisions a force of 355 traditional warfighting vessels by 2035 and a larger for of over 500 manned and unmanned vessels by 2045.
- The plan, known as Battle Force 2045, calls for more submarines and hundreds of unmanned or optionally-manned assets, among other changes.
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Secretary of Defense Mark Esper argued Tuesday afternoon that the US Navy needs more than 500 ships by 2045 to counter China.
Speaking at an online Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments event, Esper unveiled his plan for the future fleet: “Battle Force 2045.” The plan calls for a force of 355 traditional warfighting vessels by 2035 and a larger force consisting of over 500 manned and unmanned vessels by 2045.
While Esper made note of