The U.S. military was once the pride of the nation. Today it’s a shell of its former self.
Because a new report about a foreign threat has made the Pentagon nervous with the U.S. Navy in dire straits.
U.S. Navy Faces Repair Delays as China Bolsters Naval Power
U.S. Navy vessels are languishing in shipyards for extended periods due to subpar maintenance work and bureaucratic inefficiencies, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal published on Monday. These prolonged delays are hampering the Navy’s operational readiness at a critical time.
In recent years, between one-third and two-thirds of maintenance schedules for U.S. surface ships have fallen behind, U.S. officials noted, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This backlog intensifies the U.S.’s struggle to match the rapid shipbuilding pace of China, a key rival expanding its influence in the Indo-Pacific and posing a threat to American interests.
Despite significant financial investments, repairs continue to miss deadlines, with U.S. destroyers facing a collective 2,633 days of unexpected delays in 2024, per The Wall Street Journal. A Navy official described this as progress compared to prior years. The shortage of skilled repair workers, deterred by low wages, is a significant factor, the report highlighted.
A notable case involved the USS Helena, which, after over six years in repair, was set to depart in 2024 when a tragic incident occurred. A young sailor was fatally electrocuted on board, forcing the vessel back to the shipyard, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Helena finally left the docks weeks later, only to be decommissioned in July 2025.
The urgency of maintaining naval readiness is noted by the Trump administration’s indication of potential intervention in a China-Taiwan conflict, which would primarily unfold at sea. Experts warn that ongoing repair issues could sideline critical ships and submarines during a potential clash with China, according to The Wall Street Journal. Additionally, less dependable ships endure more wear at sea, leading to extended repair times upon return, the outlet noted.
Intelligence reports suggest China may attempt to seize Taiwan as early as 2027. The Chinese government conducted extensive military exercises near the island in April and was detected sending a vessel near Hawaii in July.
“Today, the U.S. ranks 19th in the world in commercial shipbuilding, and we build less than 5 ships each year, while the [Chinese government] is building more than 1,700 ships,” the office of the U.S. Trade Representative stated in January. A Navy official informed The Wall Street Journal that 49 infrastructure projects are underway to enhance repair facilities.
“China’s rapid military buildup has left the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) poised to overtake the US…[it] now possesses the world’s largest maritime fighting force, operating 234 warships to the US Navy’s 219.” pic.twitter.com/RWQgP49AgV
— Balaji (@balajis) January 3, 2025
China’s Naval Expansion and U.S. Security Concerns
China’s rapid naval buildup has raised alarms among U.S. national security experts, as the country’s growing fleet strengthens its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific. According to a 2024 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, China’s navy, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), is now the world’s largest by ship count, with over 370 vessels, including advanced destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers. This surpasses the U.S. Navy’s approximately 290 ships.
The PLAN’s expansion includes significant investments in shipbuilding capacity. A 2025 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) notes that China operates over 100 shipyards, many capable of producing both commercial and military vessels. This dual-use infrastructure allows China to outpace the U.S. in ship production, with estimates suggesting China builds three to four times the tonnage of the U.S. annually.
China’s naval strategy emphasizes dominance in regional waters, particularly around Taiwan and the South China Sea. The April 2025 military drills near Taiwan, reported by Reuters, involved dozens of ships and simulated blockades, showcasing China’s ability to project power. The detection of a Chinese vessel near Hawaii in July, as noted by The Wall Street Journal, further illustrates China’s expanding operational reach, raising concerns about potential intelligence-gathering or provocation.
U.S. experts are particularly worried about China’s advancements in anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities. A 2024 RAND Corporation study highlights China’s deployment of advanced anti-ship missiles and submarines, which could challenge U.S. naval operations in a conflict. These capabilities, combined with China’s growing carrier fleet, could limit U.S. freedom of movement in the Pacific.
The U.S. Navy’s repair delays exacerbate these concerns. A 2025 Department of Defense report warns that prolonged maintenance schedules reduce the number of deployable ships, potentially weakening deterrence against China. The report emphasizes that a smaller, less reliable fleet could struggle to counter China’s numerical advantage in a Taiwan contingency.
Efforts to address these challenges include modernizing U.S. shipyards and increasing funding for maintenance, as outlined in the Navy’s 2025 budget proposal. However, a CSIS analysis suggests that these measures may take years to yield results, leaving the U.S. vulnerable in the near term. Meanwhile, China’s consistent investment in its naval infrastructure continues to widen the gap.
China’s naval growth, coupled with U.S. maintenance struggles, could shift the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. As a 2025 Heritage Foundation report argues, ensuring a robust and ready U.S. Navy is critical to maintaining regional stability and countering China’s ambitions.
