seapower2000

Surface Combatant Program in Limbo

There has been an ongoing debate within the Navy this year regarding the future of its surface combatant program. On July 22nd the Navy recommended ending the DDG-1000 multi-mission surface combatant program after only two ships and restarting the production line of the DDG-51 class destroyer. On August 18th, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter reversed that decision and announced that the Navy will procure a third DDG-1000 as recommended in the FY 2009 budget request.

The DDG-1000 was designed to meet surface warfare, anti-aircraft, and naval fire support in the littorals. In a July 31st hearing before the House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, Admiral Barry McCullough, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Resources and Capabilities, had testified that the Navy's decision to prematurely end the DDG-1000 program was based on a change in mission requirements. He went on record stating a need to respond to increased ballistic and cruise missile threats posed by emerging military powers and rogue nations, and that the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyer is the ship best equipped to handle the combined anti-missile, anti-submarine, and anti-air threats present in the blue water. In a letter announcing the Department of Defense's decision, England stated that as the Navy continues to assess "existing and evolving threats," it will proceed with the procurement of a third DDG-1000 in FY 2009 in addition to supporting plans to procure more DDG-51s.

The Navy had requested $2.6 billion for a third DDG-1000 in its FY 2009 budget plan. The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee recommended cutting $2.1 billion from the DDG-1000 in FY 2009, leaving only $450 million in advance procurement. This is not enough money to buy either a DDG-1000 or a DDG-51 in FY 2009. Whatever surface combatant the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Congress agree to back, it is imperative that full funding for either one DDG-1000 or one DDG-51 be provided in FY 2009 to minimize severe disruption in the shipbuilding industrial base. The Senate is expected to act on the FY 2009 Defense Appropriations Bill in September.

While construction of a third DDG-1000 will provide greater stability, additional work will still be needed in order to sustain the industrial base. One DDG-1000 is equivalent to one and a half DDG-51s for the industrial base. Whether Congress decides to procure DDG-1000 or DDG-51, it is crucial that sufficient numbers of each surface combatant are procured annually. Studies conducted by the Department of Defense in 1993 and 2000 stated the production of three DDG-51s per year plus additional work was needed to sustain the surface combatant shipbuilding industrial base. During the July 31st hearing, Admiral McCullough testified that the Navy plans to procure only 8 DDG-51s during fiscal years 2010-2015; with only one ship in fiscal years 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015, and two ships in 2011 and 2013.

Whatever decision Congress makes regarding which surface combatant to build going forward, it must take into account the urgency to buy enough of either ship to sustain the shipbuilding industrial base. Currently, only the Senate Armed Services Committee has authorized full funding for surface combatants. Both the House Armed Services Committee and House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee have cut funding for surface combatants dramatically. The fate of the surface combatant industrial base depends on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee when it meets in September.

Russia Displays Its Military Prowess

The recent conflict between Georgia and Russia has demonstrated the resurgence in Russia's ability to use military might to enforce its offensive and defensive objectives. During the conflict, Russia deployed its naval ships to blockade Georgia's Black Sea coast.

With a commitment to regain its global profile and a strong economy fueled by oil exports, Russia's government has been investing heavily in rebuilding that country's military, and has been devoting considerable resources to naval ship construction. On July 27th, Commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, reiterated Russia's commitment to make naval shipbuilding a priority. The country plans to increase warship production by 50% by 2010. The first of Russia's new nuclear ballistic missile submarines is scheduled to join the fleet later this year. This new submarine class will become the core of Russia's modern submarine fleet. Russia also stated its commitment to build 5-6 aircraft carriers starting in 2012.

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