U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) said on Wednesday that a strong Navy and Marine Corps is essential now more than ever to deter adversaries and assure allies around the world.
Wicker delivered his remarks at the opening of a Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower hearing that explored challenges and constraints facing the Navy and Marine Corps.
Wicker, the chairman of the subcommittee, said the nation’s fleet of 272 ships was “insufficient.” The Navy isn’t on schedule to expand its fleet to the required 308 ships by 2021, and there is no plan in place meet the National Defense Panel’s recommendation to maintain a fleet of 323 to 346 ships, Wicker added.
Wicker outlined five issues that the subcommittee would review in the coming year, including the vitality of the industrial base, the best use of taxpayer resources, building the future force, amphibious ships and budget constraints.
When it comes to the industrial base, Wicker said the vitality of the nation’s 30-year-old shipbuilding plan is critical to the strength of the nation’s shipbuilding industrial base.
“The U.S. Navy’s dominant maritime position would not be possible without the unique skills, capabilities and capacities inherent in new construction shipyards and weapon system developers,” Wicker said. “I would like our witnesses to describe how they carefully weighed the effects on the shipbuilding industrial base when they balanced resources and requirements in the shipbuilding plan.”
In regard to the best use of taxpayer dollars, Wicker said, “It is critical that this subcommittee conduct rigorous oversight of shipbuilding programs.”
And, when it comes to building the future force, the subcommittee has a duty to shape the future of the Navy, Wicker added.
“The Navy and Marine Corps will serve as the linchpin of American force projection around the globe,” Wicker said. “I am interested in ways we can ensure the Navy shipbuilding plan addresses the demand from our combatant commanders for amphibious ships. This demand is greater than 50 amphibious ships on a day-to-day operational basis. The current inventory is just 30 amphibious ships. To this end, our subcommittee would like to know to what extent the next amphibious assault ship, known as LXR, could be accelerated.”
Wicker noted that the Bipartisan Budget Act had provided short-term relief to budget cuts resulting from sequestration, but more cuts would return in 2018 if Congress fails to act.
“Even with these additional funds, the Department of the Navy continues to face significant budget challenges that force hard choices between readiness and modernization,” Wicker said. “The department’s 2017 request is $8 billion, or five percent less than the 2017 value presented in last year’s budget.”
Wicker, a member the Senate Budget Committee, said that national defense is solely a federal responsibility.