What's happened
Admiral Lisa Franchetti has unveiled a new navigation plan for the US Navy, focusing on readiness for potential conflict with China by 2027. The plan includes seven ambitious goals aimed at improving maintenance, recruitment, and the integration of drones and unmanned vessels into naval operations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Business Insider, Admiral Franchetti emphasized the need for the Navy to prioritize readiness against China, stating, "By 2027, the Navy will be more ready for sustained combat." The Independent highlights the challenges of achieving these goals, noting that Franchetti described them as "stretch goals." South China Morning Post adds that the Navy is learning from Ukraine's innovative tactics in the Black Sea, which could inform future operations against China. These perspectives illustrate the urgency and complexity of the Navy's new strategy.
How we got here
The US Navy's renewed focus on China stems from increasing tensions over Taiwan and China's military ambitions. Admiral Franchetti's plan is a response to the Pentagon's assessment of China as the primary national security challenge, particularly with a 2027 timeline for potential conflict.
More on these topics
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. Neighbouring countries include the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.
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Lisa Marie Franchetti is a United States Navy admiral who has served as the 42nd vice chief of naval operations since 2 September 2022, and as acting chief of naval operations since 14 August 2023.
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The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.
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The Black Sea is a body of water and marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean between Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Western Asia. It is supplied by a number of major rivers, including the Danube, Dnieper, Southern Bug, Dniester, Don, and the Rioni. The wate
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.