The Impact to the Sea Services of Coming Budget Cuts

A Senate/House “Super-Committee” is currently deliberating on how to reduce the Federal budget by 1.2 Trillion dollars over the next decade. The prospect of deep and debilitating cuts in the National Defense budget is on the horizon. Already enacted reductions of $464 Billion will greatly impact America’s defense over the next decade. If the “Super-Committee” fails to achieve a budget reduction plan by November 23rd, then an arbitrary spending cut could reduce Defense spending by a total of over $1 Trillion.

It seems likely that the House and Senate Armed Services Committees will attempt to spread the impact of these massive budget reductions across the services. However, the prospect of large cuts to America’s Sea Services-the Navy, Marine Corps, and Cost Guard-should be viewed as having a disproportional impact on America’s ability to respond to future crises, as budget cuts of the scale contemplated will exacerbate a number of negative trends already impacting the Sea Services.

The Declining Naval Fleet

The Navy has been downsizing for more than two decades. In 1989, the naval fleet consisted of almost 600 ships. A reduced rate of building, combined with ship scrapping, has resulted in a current fleet of 285 ships. It is accurate to state that today’s warships are more capable than in the past. Today’s ships incorporate new weapons and propulsion systems, and next generation electronics and computer systems provide an expanded picture of the operating environment. The difficulties that arise with fewer ships in the fleet result from the necessarily higher operating tempo when more of the Navy’s assets are deployed simultaneously. Currently, 43% of the fleet is forward deployed-resulting in increased maintenance needs-for naval ships and aircraft as they inevitably experience more wear and tear. Under the already enacted budget cuts the fleet will soon be comprised of approximately 263 ships, as the large number of ships built in the 1980’s are decommissioned at the end of their normal 30 year life span.

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps, after nearly 10 years of combat in the Iraqi and Afghan theaters, is in need of extensive re-capilization of ground equipment and aircraft. “Expeditionary warfare” has always been the Marine Corps’ core competency, its units being transported by ship and deployed from landing craft and helicopters. But that traditional mission is in jeopardy with cuts already in the works, which will eliminate the next generation amphibious assault vehicle and delay the operational capability of the F-35B multi-role fighter, The deployment of the F-35B, which is designed to replace the Marine’s aging aviation assets, has slipped to an estimated 2014 delivery and total numbers of aircraft will likely be cut.

Coast Guard

Most people think of the Cost Guard as providing lifesaving and disaster relief, but its mission requirements extend much beyond those vital functions. This smallest of the services maintains aids to navigation, oversees pollution clean up efforts on our waterways, combats drug smugglers, conducts safety inspections of commercial vessels, contributes to the International Ice Patrol, and is responsible for port security. The missions keep expanding as the service’s ships and aircraft age. The largest Coast Guard cutters, those capable of extended operations at sea, average 41 years in age-well beyond the expected life span of naval vessels. The service currently faces a bleak situation with many of its ships and aircraft needing immediate replacement. The only alternative has been to take ships out of service that are eating up the maintenance budget. This induces more wear and tear as the remaining ships, aircraft, and crews work harder and longer in the attempt to cover the gaps.

Can Real Savings be Made?

Within the Department of Defense there are areas where spending should be reduced. The goal would be to realize savings where excess capacity or redundancies can be found. As in other institutions personnel is the major factor in cost. Enlarging the Reserve components as active duty personnel are reduced is a potential means to reduce personnel costs and still maintain the numbers of ships needed for future contingencies. In the 1990’s all of the mine warfare ships and about a dozen Perry class frigates were manned by reservist crews. Support units including most Naval Construction Battalions, and (mobile) Fleet Hospitals have been a part of the Naval Reserve. These units maintained high standards of readiness, and were available when needed for two major operations in Iraq.

Another means of reducing the cost of the sea services should be in the area of acquisition. A critical review of the shipbuilding program is needed, based on an assessment of the service life of current types and future fleet requirements. The programs that have experienced continuing cost overruns and do not add significant capabilities to the fleet should be cancelled. With efficient planning, the impact of large budget reductions can be lessened and enough ships can be kept in the state of material readiness that is required for national emergencies.

A Difficult Decade Ahead

Maintaining the Sea Services will be essential to American’s national security for the remainder of this decade and beyond. Even as combat operations are reduced in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard will experience only a slight reduction in their global missions. Secretary of Defense Panetta has previously voiced concern over a $464 Billion budget reduction that could “hollow out” the military’s combat forces. Any consideration of reductions in excess of this amount must be carefully considered in order to maintain current readiness and the future replacement of essential assets.

Our Sea Services provide the power, flexibility and versatility to meet developing global challenges. America’s national security and ultimately, our sovereignty and ability to protect our citizen’s way of life, will be dependent on maintaining these forces.

Stephen Kelly
Rocky Mountain Region President
Navy League of the U.S.