Allied Shipyards Key to Closing US Naval Gap with China
A new report by the Center for Maritime Strategy (CMS) argues that the United States must leverage allied shipbuilding capabilities to address its widening naval industrial gap with China. Facing domestic constraints such as deindustrialization, labor shortages, and supply chain fragility, US shipyards struggle to meet growing naval demands. The report highlights that while China possesses the world's largest navy and significantly superior shipbuilding capacity, the US fleet remains below target levels. To bridge this disparity, the study recommends deeper cooperation with allies like South Korea, Italy, Canada, Sweden, and the UK in areas including ship production, repair, maintenance, and workforce development. Although the US Maritime Action Plan of 2026 emphasizes domestic rebuilding through foreign investment, the report suggests that relying on allied infrastructure is becoming a strategic necessity rather than just an option. This approach aims to improve production efficiency and maritime readiness despite concerns over technical compatibility and strategic autonomy. The analysis underscores the urgent need to reshape how the US builds and sustains maritime power amid intensifying global competition.
Wire timeline
Allied Shipyards Key to Closing US Naval Gap with China
A new report by the Center for Maritime Strategy (CMS) argues that the United States must leverage allied shipbuilding capabilities to address its widening naval industrial gap with China. Facing domestic constraints such as deindustrialization, labor shortages, and supply chain fragility, US shipyards struggle to meet growing naval demands. The report highlights that while China possesses the world's largest navy and significantly superior shipbuilding capacity, the US fleet remains below target levels. To bridge this disparity, the study recommends deeper cooperation with allies like South Korea, Italy, Canada, Sweden, and the UK in areas including ship production, repair, maintenance, and workforce development. Although the US Maritime Action Plan of 2026 emphasizes domestic rebuilding through foreign investment, the report suggests that relying on allied infrastructure is becoming a strategic necessity rather than just an option. This approach aims to improve production efficiency and maritime readiness despite concerns over technical compatibility and strategic autonomy. The analysis underscores the urgent need to reshape how the US builds and sustains maritime power amid intensifying global competition.
Asia Times