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Wittman statement on the release of Navy’s 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan

Washington, December 10, 2020

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) today issued the following statement after the release of the U.S. Navy’s updated 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan:

 “This 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan is all about implementing the National Defense Strategy as it pertains to Great Powers Competition,” Congressman Wittman said. “I am pleased with the Navy’s focus on maximizing our asymmetrical advantages with a focus on attack submarines while simultaneously shoring up our weaknesses by increasing our logistics fleet. It appropriately adjusts the 355-ship goal to a force structure that envisions a 403-ship manned requirement with expanded manned and unmanned teaming.” 

Highlights of this plan include: 

 

  • Supporting 70% of our strategic weapons by recapitalizing the ballistic missile submarine force structure. 
  • Continuing aircraft carrier construction to support expanded long-range strike and maintain our 11-carrier requirement while investing in a new class of carriers to follow.
  • Completely arresting the previously programmed 20% attack submarine force structure reduction and immediately sustain and expand attack submarine force structure levels while expanding the industrial base to support three attack submarines per year.  
  • Reducing the number of large surface combatants in order to provide a more distributed network of small and unmanned surface combatants.
  • Expanding the amphibious force structure to meet the Commandant’s planning guidance and the need for distributed maritime operations.
  • And, finally recognizing the expanded logistics ship requirement to support navy operations and Army and Marine Corps lift requirements.

“While this plan puts our nation on the right track for dominating the seas, we must recognize that we are in a difficult budgeting environment,” Congressman Wittman continued. “But one thing is for certain: our budgeting decisions must be as flexible as the strategies we hope to fund, and nothing should be off the table.

“This 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan is the right plan at the right time. It is good for our nation, our service members, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. I look forward to working with the Navy and the Department of Defense to turn this plan into reality.”