![]() ![]() ![]() policymakers to moderate the expectations they have of both their own fleet and that of allies.Įurope’s only “super carrier,” the French “Charles de Gaulle”, has also spent much of this year in refit after last year’s Libya campaign. That does not particularly worry naval officers who have long juggled limited resources around the globe. ![]() Keeping one pair in the Gulf and another in Asia, experts say, could prove ultimately unsustainable. With maintenance and training requirements, however, it can often only call on half that number at any given time. The retirement this month of the USS Enterprise after half a century of service will bring Washington once again down to 10 carriers. If it is to follow through on its “Asia pivot” and match Beijing in its backyard, it may have to decide which other areas of the world to ignore. The United States, in contrast, finds itself stretched much thinner as it spreads its forces around the globe. With the exception of a small force in the Indian Ocean to counter piracy, China’s entire naval focus remains on its immediate neighbourhood - the South China Sea, particularly Taiwan, and disputed waters with Japan, Vietnam and others. Even with double-digit defense budget increases, Beijing’s growing fleet remains well behind that of Washington, both in numbers of major ships and capability.īut China’s announcement on Sunday of landings on its first operational carrier the Liaoning – a reconditioned Soviet era vessel purchased from Ukraine ostensibly for use as a casino - will unnerve some of its already jumpy neighbours. The challenge from an increasingly assertive China is becoming more obvious. ![]() “But I do think there is going to be a very considerable policy debate - and probably a good one to have.” AP Photo/Xinhua, Zha Chunming Naval Operations and now distinguished visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. pull back from being the only force capable of protecting global sea lanes,” said Gary Roughead, a veteran former admiral who retired last year as Chief of U.S. “I don’t believe you’re going to see the U.S. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ![]()
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