NYN | News
The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Navy is looking to apply the experiences gained from its operations in the Red Sea over the past year to help military leaders prepare for a potential conflict with China.
The agency noted that the U.S. Navy is expanding its training to address growing threats from drones and unmanned boats, as well as improving advanced weapon systems aboard ships, all while facing recruitment challenges.
The AP quoted Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, as saying: “I am heavily focused on 2027, the year President Xi [Jinping] has asked his forces to be ready to invade Taiwan. We need to be more prepared.”
Franchetti highlighted that “one of the key challenges is ensuring that 80% of the force is ready for combat deployment at any given time, which remains an elusive goal.”
She explained that the Red Sea operations were the first to involve prolonged weapon engagements, where the destroyer USS Mason faced numerous drones launched from Yemen, which were more complex and difficult to target and shoot down.
Franchetti also touched on maintenance difficulties hindering the U.S. Navy’s ability to deploy warships promptly.
Earlier this year, the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower was stationed in the Red Sea “to support Israel” and protect commercial and military vessels from Houthi attacks. The carrier returned after more than eight months of deployment, which the U.S. Navy described as the most intense since World War II, according to the AP.
