US Army’s Logistics Fleet in Disrepair: Readiness Rate Plunges Below 40%
Washington, D.C. – A new government watchdog report has revealed a troublingstate of affairs within the US Army’s logistics fleet, highlighting a significant gap in readiness that threatens the military’s ability to effectively operate in the Pacific region.
The report, released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on October 16th, paints a stark picture of a fleet struggling to meet the demands ofa rapidly evolving strategic landscape. The GAO found that the Army’s fleet of watercraft, essential for transporting troops and equipment, is plagued by maintenance issues, leading to a readiness rate that falls far short of its own standards.
According to the report, the Army’s policy mandates a minimum 90% readiness rate for its watercraft, ensuring they are ready to deploy at any given time. However, the current readiness rate sits at a dismal level of less than 40%. This shortfall is compounded by a shrinking fleet size, which has been reduced by nearly half since 2018, dropping from 134 vessels to just 70 in May of this year.
Army officials acknowledged that the low readiness rate, coupled with the smaller size of the current surface fleet, hindersoperational readiness and the ability to meet mission requirements, the report stated. At such a low rate, typically less than half of the fleet is available at any given time.
The report’s findings come at a time when the US is increasingly focusing its military efforts on the Indo-Pacific region, a strategically vital areawhere China’s growing influence has become a major concern. The Army’s logistics fleet plays a crucial role in supporting military operations in the region, providing vital transportation and logistical support.
The GAO report highlights the challenges faced by the Army in maintaining its fleet. The report cites significant maintenance challenges as the primarydriver of the low readiness rates, exacerbated by factors such as aging vessels, supply shortages, and outdated parts.
One particularly illustrative example cited in the report involves a landing craft that has been under maintenance since 2018. Initially scheduled for completion and deployment in January 2021, the repairshave been delayed by at least three years, with the Army having to amend the contract seven times due to the discovery of major unplanned repairs affecting over 40% of the vessel’s hull.
The report also reveals that the Army is considering leasing civilian vessels to augment its existing fleet and isactively working to relocate all vessels to the Pacific.
The GAO’s findings have sparked concern among military experts and analysts, who warn that the Army’s declining fleet readiness could undermine its ability to effectively respond to emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
For decades, the Army’s watercraft have beenunprepared, incapable, and lacked the mindset to execute some of the more dangerous missions, a former Army vessel chief engineer told CNN earlier this year.
In response to the report’s findings, Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith stated that the Army is actively working to address the overall watercraft capability gap, prioritizing improvements tothe existing fleet while also investing in a modernized fleet to meet the Army’s 2040 requirements goals.
However, the GAO report emphasizes the urgency of the situation, highlighting the need for immediate action to address the maintenance challenges and restore the Army’s logistics fleet to a state of readiness.The report also calls for a comprehensive review of the Army’s fleet management practices to identify and address systemic issues contributing to the current state of disrepair.
The Army’s declining fleet readiness is a significant issue with implications for the US military’s overall strategic posture. As the US continues to focus its attention on the Indo-Pacific region, ensuring the readiness of its logistics fleet is critical to maintaining its military advantage in the region. Failure to address the issues highlighted in the GAO report could leave the US military vulnerable and unprepared for future challenges.
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