(SputnikNews) In its current state, the US Navy is incapable of countering the rising global threats, Seth Cropsey, former US Assistant Secretary of Defense, wrote in his article.
Cropsey now serves as director of Hudson Institute's Center for American Seapower.
Currently, the US naval fleet consists of 272 ships, half its size 30 years ago. The Navy’s plan to expand the fleet to 308 vessels is unlikely to be fully implemented. The Pentagon ordered to cut the number of future ships and modernize the existing fleet instead.
Advertisement - story continues below
Meanwhile, as Cropsey wrote, the large number of ships is the key element of deterrence. He said the US needs 350 ships to counter rising global dangers.
