US Faces Urgent Need to Counter China's Expanding Naval Power,Retired AdmiralWarns

Retired US Navy Adm. James Stavridis, the former NATO commander, is raising the alarm about the rapid growth of China's navy, which now boasts a fleet of at least 350 warships, surpassing the 290 vessels currently in the US Navy. In a recent Bloomberg op-ed, Stavridis stressed the critical importance of the United States forging a coalition with allies in the Indo-Pacific region to maintain the balance of power at sea and counter China's increasing naval strength.

Why this matters: The growing naval power of China has significant implications for global security and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region, and the US must take decisive action to maintain its influence and protect its interests. Failure to do so could lead to a shift in the global power dynamics, potentially destabilizing the region and beyond.

Stavridis outlined a strategy for the US to partner with its treaty allies, including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand, in addition to friendly nations such as Singapore, Vietnam, and India. He proposed that thiscoalition couldcome together for major maritime exercises in the South China Sea, a region where China has asserted sovereignty despite competing claims from other nations. "This coalition could come together for major maritime exercises in the South China Sea,"Stavridis wrote.

The Pentagon's 2022 annual report on China's military development reveals the astounding pace of China's naval expansion. The country is expected to grow its fleet to 400 ships by 2025 and 440 ships by 2030. The US Naval Institute reported in 2021 that China already has the world's largest navy, with over 355 vessels in its naval fleet, compared to the US's 296 ships.

The growing gap between the US and Chinese naval fleets highlights the extent to which US shipbuilding capacity has fallen behind China's. David Sacks, a fellow for Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, pointed out the striking disparity, noting,"One of China's largest shipyards has more capacity than all US shipyards combined. "This highlights the urgent need for the US to increase its shipbuilding efforts and strengthen partnerships with allies in the region."

Stavridis has previously expressed concerns about the US's naval capabilities. In January, he called for the US to expand its naval forces to keep pace with China, stating,"We need to build more warships. We need to think about a US Navy that approaches 350 ships. His recent op-ed highlights the urgent need for the US to stay vigilant as China continues to grow its naval power.

The US faces the challenge of maintaining its naval superiority, and a collaborative approach with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region is essential for success. Pooling resources, sharing intelligence, and conducting joint exercises will enable the US and its allies to present a united front against China's increasingly assertive behavior in the maritime domain.

The consequences of inaction could be severe as China continues to expand its naval reach and assert its claims in disputed waters. The US and its allies must act decisively to safeguard their interests and uphold the rules-based international order. Stavridis' call for a coalition strategy underscores that cooperation and collective action are vital to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Takeaways

• China's navy now has at least 350 warships, surpassing the US Navy's 290 vessels.
• Retired Adm. James Stavridis urges the US to form a coalition with Indo-Pacific allies to counter China's naval strength.
• China's naval expansion is expected to reach 400 ships by 2025 and 440 by 2030.
• The US needs to increase its shipbuilding capacity to keep pace with China's rapid growth.
• A coalition strategy with allies is crucial to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.