Maybe nobody can challenge our sea lines of supply. But is that a justification for deciding not to devote scarce resources to protecting those supply lines? Or will the failure to make the effort inspire enemies to devote resources to a weak link they might not attack if we protected the convoys?
The Russian navy is on an accelerated decline slope as its funding outside of its SSBN nuclear deterrent priority--SSBNs and assets to protect them in bastions--collapses because of the Winter War of 2022. So its ability to hamper our trans-Atlantic supply line is low. But if we have no ability to protect that traffic, Russia may use its subs while they have the opportunity even if they aren't intended for that mission.
Worse, China's submarine fleet and long-range aviation might to cripple our logistics line to the western Pacific.
The Navy's need for combat logistics ships to sustain combat operations far from our shores is obvious. The author is preaching to the TDR choir. The U.S. needs to sustain the Navy overseas and the Army and Air Force, too. I'd like to develop an option to quickly expand the logistics train.
It wasn't long ago that the Navy said it couldn't escort supply ships. But we have to protect the flock. And if it can't escort its own supply ships, the Navy will be driven back to Hawaii, Australia, and the western Indian Ocean.
What happens to our allies close to China that can't very well retreat with our forces?
Not to mention what we do with Marines scattered in the PLAN's paths out into the Pacific.
Attacking sea lines of supply is a basic offensive mission. Our enemies know that. Defending sea lines of supply should be a priority for us. And our enemies should know it.
UPDATE: The problem is noticed:
If the United States goes to war with Russia or China before 2029, it won’t have any frigates to escort ships across the two oceans. It will have to assign the task to 510-foot, $2-billion destroyers[.]
But other missions the destroyers are needed for like sea control and missile defense would be hurt.
Other than not escorting convoys as I noted in the original post and which the article also cites, modularized auxiliary cruisers could be created for convoy escorts.
NOTE: The image was made from DALL-E.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
