DoD Releases Fiscal Year 2021 Freedom of Navigation Report
APRIL 1, 2022
Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual Freedom of Navigation (FON) Report for Fiscal Year 2021. During the period from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021, U.S. forces operationally challenged 37 different excessive maritime claims made by 26 different claimants throughout the world.
Excessive maritime claims are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention. They include a variety of restrictions on the exercise of navigation and overflight rights and other freedoms. Unlawful maritime claims – or incoherent theories of maritime entitlements – pose a threat to the legal foundation of the rules-based international order. If left unchallenged, excessive maritime claims could limit the rights and freedoms enjoyed by every nation.
Upholding freedom of navigation as a principle supports unimpeded lawful commerce and the global mobility of U.S. forces. DoD’s freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2986974/dod-releases-fiscal-year-2021-freedom-of-navigation-report/
