Jack Reed: “As I stated, the Chief of Naval Operations indicated he would need approximately $13.5 billion each year for the next…”

“As I stated, the Chief of Naval Operations indicated he would need approximately $13.5 billion each year for the next decade to recapitalize the fleet. However, the President's budget request only includes 7 ships in fiscal year 2007 versus the 11 that the Chief needs to maintain the 313-ship fleet. Seven ships in fiscal year 2008. In 2009 the suggestion is they move up to nine ships. But those plans have been delayed before. This shipbuilding level simply cannot sustain the fleet. My greatest concern is with respect to the construction level of submarines. While many believe that the need for submarines has diminished with the end of the Cold War, the demand for these unique assets has never been greater. Last week I was with Senator Dodd and Senator Inouye for the christening of the USS Hawaii, our newest Virginia Class attack submarine at Groton, CT. Admiral Roughhead, Commander of the Pacific Fleet, pointed out submarines are his most demanded asset. They are the one ship that is constantly requested by commanders throughout the Pacific to do the tasks that are necessary to defend the Nation. This is true in our global war on terrorism as we need the ability for stealthy insertion of special operations troops. We need to be able to recover these troops, we need to have the capacity to strike with precision-guided Tomahawk cruise missiles. All of these are capabilities of the submarine fleet.…”