US Navy eyes war with China and what it takes to win

By Rodney J. Jaleco | Date 09-26-2024

WASHINGTON D.C. — War with China is coming, and the US Navy is laying the groundwork for defeating them, according to an updated blueprint dubbed Project 33 that was unveiled on Sept. 18. The document predicts a war with China by 2027 and aims to achieve victory through a heavier reliance on drones and robots, as well as the help of allies, among others.

“Dynamic changes are at work in our nation and abroad,” wrote Adm. Lisa Franchetti, US Chief of Naval Operations, “changes that serve only to emphasize the need for a determined military posture built upon a solid foundation of powerful naval forces.”

Project 33 noted that China’s defense industrial base is already on a war footing, and the coalescing of the PLA Navy, Rocket Force, Space Force, Air Force, and Cyberspace Force present a “complex multi-domain and multi-axis threat”. 

The report recognized China’s grey zone, as well as, economic campaigns against US allies like the Philippines, which it said needs to be defeated too if called upon to help. 

Chinese ships have resorted to ramming Philippine coast guard vessels in the country’s exclusive economic zone that they say is part of their sweeping “nine-dash-line” claim in the South China Sea. The BRP Teresa Magbanua – the largest Philippine coast guard ship – was forced to leave Escoda (Sabina) shoal last week after being repeatedly rammed by much bigger Chinese ships and blocking resupply missions during its five-month deployment there. 

Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr., US Indo-Pacific Command chief, said during a recent visit to Manila, that they were ready to provide escort Philippine vessels on resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea. His statement got full backing when ranking US Defense Department officials echoed the offer from the Pentagon. 

Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, declined the offer – for now – but other reports suggest the Philippines was talking with the “Quad” – the US, Japan, Australia, and India – for joint patrols in the South China Sea. 

As envisioned, an “observer mission” could take place next year, with members of the Japan Coast Guard and its Australian and Indian counterparts boarding a US Coast Guard vessel, 
“aimed at improving interoperability to maintain maritime order based on the rule of law and will continue on a rotational basis,” the Kyodo news service disclosed, citing sources.

Details of the proposal are expected to be revealed at the end of the Quad meeting in the White House on Sept. 21.

As talks continue to diffuse tensions with China, there is no mistaking the US Navy is hedging all bets, preparing for the worst. Project 33, for instance, calls for accelerated development of technology and warfighting platforms aimed to neutralize China’s emerging numerical in ships, planes, and missiles.

“Cheaper, more accessible technology is pushing asymmetric capability at a lower cost to state and non-state actors,” the paper said, adding that the US Navy is leading the other major services in operationalizing robotic and autonomous systems”. This would lead to “experimentation with hybrid fleets” that would reduce the demand for bigger and more expensive manned platforms. However, the plan still calls for expanding the current 381 warships and submarines.