Shibhaljazeera Net | Red Sea
The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Navy is looking to leverage lessons learned from its operations in the Red Sea over the past year to help military leaders prepare for a potential conflict with China.
The agency added that the U.S. Navy is expanding its training to counter growing threats from drones and unmanned boats, as well as enhancing advanced gun operations aboard ships, at a time when it is facing challenges in recruitment.
The Associated Press quoted Lisa Franchetti, U.S. Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations, as saying: “I am very focused on 2027, the year President Xi (Jinping) asked his forces to prepare for a Taiwan invasion. We need to be more prepared.”
Franchetti pointed out that “one of the main challenges is ensuring that 80% of the force is ready for combat deployment at any time, which is a far-reaching goal.”
She explained that Red Sea operations were the first to experience prolonged weapons engagements, where the destroyer “Mason” faced numerous drones launched from Yemen, which were more complex and difficult to target and shoot down.
Franchetti also mentioned the maintenance challenges hindering the ability of U.S. warships to deploy on time.
Earlier this year, the aircraft carrier “Eisenhower” was stationed in the Red Sea “to support Israel” and protect commercial and military ships from Houthi attacks. The carrier returned after an eight-month deployment, which the U.S. Navy described as the most intense since World War II, according to the Associated Press.
Source: Associated Press