Blame the peace dividend of the 90s, the war on terror, and ship sizes getting larger among the critical causes. Because that's one big part of the problem especially for subs. We have i believe 18 drydocks capable of holding a LA, 11 for the flight I to 4 VAs, and just 7 can hold the Flight V VAs and beyond. And expanding or building new drydocks especially ones rated for nuclear powered vessels ain't cheap
I have heard the same from my Navy Buddies as well. Congress doing what Congress does has borked the maintenance for the Fleet. The Sub Force is still in good shape but the Surface Force needs some cash. Kind of why the Navy is also not going whole hog into getting the F-35C.
Honestly I suspect if the navy brass could go back in time they'd brutally and slowly kill the morons who recondmend closing the long beach, mare island, Charleston, and Philadelphia naval yards because having even just 2 of those around todsy would solve most of the problems that exist in terms of drydock count if not size. Also at least the surface fleet didn't have a vessel waiting several years for a refit to start. The sub force did look up what happened to the USS Boise
What, no wind turbine-powered destroyers? No solar-powered aircraft or drone carriers? No tidal generator-powered submarines? The Greens must be shrieking their mud-covered asses off!
Ironically a company is running what use to be the Charleston Naval Shipyard.
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