With an eye on conventional warfare with China and Russia, Pentagon leaders say they are preparing for a maritime fight. But questions loom as to whether the administration’s forthcoming budget request and 30-year shipbuilding plan will provide enough funds and guidance for the US Navy to prepare for contingencies with these nations.
In January, the Pentagon released its National Defence Strategy (NDS) and announced that it is shifting its focus away from terrorism in order to prepare for a bigger conflict and ‘inter-state competition’ with China and Russia.
The focus on the two nations will be a driving force for