Force Design 2030 can't make up for China's shipbuilding power...The US Navy and our Pacific strategy is behind the eight ball...

First, let’s look at hull count. By my estimate, the PLAN launched 157 warships over the years 2014-2023. As always, these numbers are from open source data for ship launches which China doesn't always publicize, so don't @ me if you have a niggle with them. 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/rwbB4IlTTL

— Tom Shugart (@tshugart3) March 9, 2024

Read this entire thread.

We are currently outpaced by China's shipbuilding power and FD2030 won't do a thing to change the equation.

Even worse is the fact that adding in allied Navies in the region we're still lagging far behind.

Air power is the key.

A naval battle in the Pacific if it is to be won by the US will have to leverage the full capability of its air arm.  We don't have the pilots but the Navy needs to get back to the days of plugging 100 planes on each of its carriers.

Instead of tearing apart the Ground Combat Element the USMC should buy as many F-18's as it takes to plus up the carrier air wing to the max.

Medium range bombers (good on you USAF for the B-21) will have to carry a huge load in the "war" by launching long range missiles from distance to destroy as many ships as possible.

The Navy would do well to build a modern A-6 to get back into the long distance strike realm.

We can't build enough ships to keep up.

Long range medium bombers carrying a shit ton of anti-ship missiles with range is the only way.  Loyal wingmen that are sized like the manned medium bombers would be a nice plus.

At least on paper I just don't see how we match up to win a fight in the Pacific in the near term.  Longer term unless something radical happens it just gets worse.

Someone tell me I'm wrong.