Page 19: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2023)

“We’re paying a lot of money, but we’re not necessarily getting what we’re paying for with respect to two or three ships per year.” – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday speaking during the Surface Navy Association’s 35th Annual National Symposium

U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Amanda Gray/released “In ? ve years, instead of delivering 10 fast attack subma- rines, I got six. Where’s the other four? My force is already four submarines short,” said Commander U.S. Fleet Forces

Command Adm. Darryl Caudle at the SNA Symposium.

He also said maintenance availabilities were not being conducted on schedule, and he cited a shortage of ordnance for his ships. He said he was familiar with the excuses, but told the industry representatives “I am not forgiving the fact you’re not delivering the ordnance we need. This stuff about

COVID, parts and supply chain — I don’t really care. We all have a tough job: I need SM-6s (missiles) delivered on time; I need more Mark 48s (torpedoes) delivered on time.

We’re talking about war-? ghting, national security, and going against a competitor here and a potential adversary that is like nothing we’ve ever seen. We can’t be dilly-dallying around with these deliveries.”

Caudle said the service is working internally to boost its readiness of its existing ships, including announcing this week the surface ? eet would aim to have at least 75 mission-capable ships at all times to send on missions with little notice.

At the SNA symposium, Commander Naval Surface Forces

Vice Adm. Ray Kitchener announced his new “North Star” to always have 75 mission-ready surface warships available for tasking. Those ships include Aegis guided missile cruisers and

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