To Compete With Russia and China at Sea, Think Small
By Joshua Tallis Research Scientist, CNA Read bio
May 12, 2020
Great power competition requires more than preparing for great power conflict.
No other navy comes close to the sheer number of aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers in the U.S. fleet, but when it comes to smaller vessels like frigates and corvettes, the United States is far outnumbered by China and Russia. And being top-heavy is not good for stability in today’s power dynamics.
For the last few years, the U.S. Navy has been engaged in great power competition, ostensibly on many levels. At one end of the spectrum, this means deterring conflict with China and Russia and — if that fails — fighting to win. The U.S. fleet is built and deployed with that high-end mission in mind. But at the other end, the great powers are competing day-to-day for global influence. This requires a subtler battle over partners and messages. To win this day-to-day competition, the Navy will need a dispersed force of smaller, less expensive vessels.
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/05/compete-russia-and-china-sea-think-small/165337/?oref=d-river
