CONGRESSMAN Mike Gallagher (R-WI), chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, is raising concerns about the US's 'inadequate' sealift fleet capacity to address potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region involving China, reports Ventura California's gCaptain.
In a letter addressed to the head of US Transportation Command USAF General Jacqueline Van Ovost and maritime administrator Ann Philipps, Mr Gallagher underscored the significant hurdles confronting the US sealift fleet.
The sealift fleet plays a crucial role in transporting equipment across the Indo-Pacific in the event of a conflict.
Mr Gallagher pointed out that nearly 90 per cent of all Army and Marine Corps equipment required for large-scale overseas operations would rely on maritime transport.
However, as China expands its maritime capabilities at a rapid pace, the American sealift fleet is faced with financial constraints and aging infrastructure.
'While China has undertaken a historic buildup of both military and commercial ships, the American sealift fleet has continued to age and go underfunded,' said the letter.
SeaNews Turkey
In a letter addressed to the head of US Transportation Command USAF General Jacqueline Van Ovost and maritime administrator Ann Philipps, Mr Gallagher underscored the significant hurdles confronting the US sealift fleet.
The sealift fleet plays a crucial role in transporting equipment across the Indo-Pacific in the event of a conflict.
Mr Gallagher pointed out that nearly 90 per cent of all Army and Marine Corps equipment required for large-scale overseas operations would rely on maritime transport.
However, as China expands its maritime capabilities at a rapid pace, the American sealift fleet is faced with financial constraints and aging infrastructure.
'While China has undertaken a historic buildup of both military and commercial ships, the American sealift fleet has continued to age and go underfunded,' said the letter.
SeaNews Turkey
