Future U.S. Navy fleet could include more than 500 ships

Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy fleet, with a current target of 355 ships by 2030, could increase to more than 500 ships, documents supporting the Future Navy Force Study indicate.

Two analyses sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper suggest that between 480 and 534 total ships should be at sea, including manned and unmanned vessels. Last week, Esper referred to a future Navy of "over 350 ships" in an address to the Rand Corp.

He noted that China intends to complete a modernization of its armed forces by 2035, and is investing in cost-effective, autonomous and unmanned long-range submarines to counter American naval power.

"I want to make clear that China cannot match the United States when it comes to naval power," Esper said. "Even if we stopped building new ships, it would take the PRC [People's Republic of China] years to close the gap when it comes to our capability on the high seas.

"In short, it will be a balanced force of over 355 ships, both manned and unmanned, and will be built in a relevant timeframe and budget-informed manner."

The Navy's current goal of 355 ships is part of a 2016 Force Structure Assessment conducted by that branch in 2016. Reference to a Navy funding request for 42 new ships by Fiscal Year 2025 was included in a 130-page report to Congress last week by the Congressional Research Service.

The Future Navy Force Study documents suggest that the Navy seeks more but smaller ships, fewer aircraft carriers and additional unmanned vessels ships and submarines.

The 35 percent increase in the fleet, from the planned 355 by 2030, marks a shift in how the Defense Department regards the Navy's future.