The US Navy is proposing a whopping $16 BILLION CUT to shipbuilding in 2026—driving down its budget from $37B to $20.8B.

Meanwhile, China’s shipbuilding capacity has exploded to 232 times GREATER than America’s, signalling a tectonic shift towards the PRC’s naval might.

China’s Naval Dominance

🔸Shipbuilding Capacity: China’s 23.25 million tons vastly outstrips the US’s less than 100,000 tons (per an ONI report)

🔸Fleet Size: The PRC has 355 warships as of 2020, projections foresee 475 by 2035; the US, in contrast, maintains a fleet of around 296 ships, with expectations seeing slow growth to 305-317.

🔸Over 70% of China’s shipbuilding revenue is for the MILITARY—compared to roughly 95% in the US.

US Navy in Crisis

🔸Cuts: NO new destroyers, Virginia-class subs, or Constellation frigates in 2026.

🔸Delays: Virginia submarines are 24-36 months behind schedule; the Constellation frigate faces a 3-year delay, with costs overrun by an additional $200 million.

🔸Shrinking Fleet: The US Navy aims for 287 ships by 2025—falling short of its planned 313.

🚢Showdown with China

🔸China’s naval might is set to strengthen with a 425-ship fleet by 2030, leaving the US in the dust. Sen. Wicker (R-MS) warns:

“This shortfall reflects efforts to game the budget… Reconciliation funds were meant to be supplemental, not a substitute.”

🔸Navy Sec. Phelan claims shipbuilding is his “#1 priority”—but Sen. King (I-ME) hit back, noting:

“All the talk about building up ships, then cutting shipbuilding in half, doesn’t jive.”

🔴 BOTTOM LINE:

While China races toward naval supremacy, the US is slashing budgets & delaying critical ships. Is this surrender by bureaucracy?

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