CSF 2026, Day 2, Panel 2: Maritime Strategy and the Future Navy

CSF 2026, Day 2, Panel 2: Maritime Strategy and the Future Navy

🎙 U.S. Naval War College 👥 48K 📅 June 25, 2026 ⏱ 111 min 👁 891 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

maritime strategyfleet architecturedeterrenceChina's navydefense industrial base

Summary

The panel, moderated by Professor Kathleen Walsh, features four experts discussing the future of U.S. naval strategy. Brian Clark of the Hudson Institute presents a fleet design study that argues for a rebalanced fleet with more smaller, personnel-efficient ships and tailored hedge forces to address specific capability gaps, given fiscal and industrial constraints. Andrew Erickson of the China Maritime Studies Institute analyzes China’s naval expansion under Xi Jinping, emphasizing the urgency of the Taiwan issue and the need to understand systemic differences. Sarah Kirchberger of Kiel University offers perspectives on China’s naval power and technological innovation, while Eric Labs of the Congressional Budget Office provides budgetary and procurement analysis. The discussion highlights the challenges of maintaining a 100-ship deployed presence, the unsustainability of current fleet growth plans, and the potential of unmanned systems and tailored forces. The panel underscores the importance of revitalizing the U.S. maritime industrial base and adapting to great-power competition.

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Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The panel provides high-value insights into the strategic and operational challenges facing the U.S. Navy. Brian Clark’s presentation is particularly strong, using historical data and current trends to argue for a pragmatic fleet design that balances capability, affordability, and industrial feasibility. His argumentation is logical and well-supported, though it relies on projections and assumptions that are inherently uncertain. Andrew Erickson offers a comprehensive analysis of China’s naval rise, emphasizing the systemic strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese Communist Party’s approach. His points are well-argued and grounded in extensive research. Sarah Kirchberger and Eric Labs add valuable perspectives on China’s naval technology and budgetary realities, respectively. The overall argumentation is coherent and persuasive, though it reflects the experts’ opinions and interpretations rather than definitive conclusions.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the panel's focus on maritime strategy and the future of the U.S. Navy, with presentations on fleet design, China's naval challenge, and budgetary considerations.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

Panel of recognized experts in naval strategy and defense analysis, presenting data-driven arguments and referencing ongoing research. The discussion is grounded in institutional knowledge and recent studies, though it is primarily opinion and analysis rather than peer-reviewed research.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • Congressional Budget Office: An Analysis of the Navy's Fiscal Year 2023 Shipbuilding Plan — Eric Labs' work at CBO provides budgetary analysis consistent with the panel's discussion of fleet affordability.

Contribution & Novelties

The panel offers a multifaceted examination of the future of U.S. naval strategy, integrating perspectives on fleet design, China’s naval rise, and budgetary constraints. Brian Clark’s proposal for tailored hedge forces is a novel approach to addressing capability gaps without unsustainable fleet growth. Andrew Erickson’s emphasis on systemic differences between the U.S. and China provides a valuable framework for competition. The discussion underscores the urgency of revitalizing the U.S. maritime industrial base and adapting to technological change.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power upon History — Foundational text on sea power and national strategy.
  • U.S. Navy’s 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan — CBO analysis of Navy shipbuilding plans, relevant to Eric Labs’ discussion.
  • China’s Military Strategy — Overview of China’s evolving military strategy, pertinent to Andrew Erickson’s points.

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Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores across all dimensions, indicating a well-rounded and credible discussion. The panel excels in the quantity and quality of information, with strong technical depth and high reliability, reflecting the expertise of the speakers and the rigor of their analysis.

Reliability 8/10

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