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Defense News
U.S. House Panel Wants Report on BMD Ships Needed
By RICK MAZE
Published: 19 May 2010 12:11

As part of a continuing battle over the size of the U.S. Navy, the House Armed Services Committee wants to know whether the Navy needs more surface combatants to provide adequate missile defenses.

By voice vote and with little discussion, the committee approved an amendment sponsored by Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri, ranking Republican on its seapower subcommittee, that asks for a report by March 1, 2011 about the number of surface ships required for sea-based missile defense.

Current Navy plans for a 313-ship Navy includes 88 cruisers and destroyers, but Akin said that might not be enough considering the growing missile threat, particularly when fleets are operating within the range of land-based missiles. He specifically spoke about China, which has extensive anti-ship weapons. "It would be helpful to be able to defense our ships against this type of weapon," Akin said. "It doesn't seem like we are making the kind of progress we should."

The 2011 report ordered by the committee would look at whether upgrading existing and planned Aegis ships would meet the Navy's requirement for sea-based defenses or whether additional ships would be needed. To make that determination, lawmakers want the report to include an analysis of how many Aegis ships are needed in each combat theater, with a description of how a limited number of ships might be deployed.

The report also evaluate of how technological advancements would strengthen anti-ship defenses.

An order for a report is not final until Congress completes work on the annual defense bill but it is unlikely to be dropped, aides said. Exactly what the report should include might change as lawmakers continue work on the bill but a demand for a report rarely is dropped after a committee vote, aides said.