AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS: New American Ship Limps Into Service
Strategy Page
August 7, 2005: The U.S. Navy recently accepted, reluctantly, the newly built amphibious ship USS San Antonio (LPD-17). The 25,000 ton ship, the first of a class of twelve, is two years late, and $400 million over its original budget of $830 million. But that’s not the major problem. While the ship performed well on its sea trials, inspectors came up with a list of 37 major deficiencies. The major ones were sloppy and incorrect installation of wiring, and poor workmanship throughout. The supervision of the construction of the ship was at fault, leading to many mistakes.
The navy is very concerned that if most of these deficiencies are not made good, the ship will suffer from breakdowns and heavier maintenance requirements throughout its decades of service. Fixing all the problems are expected to push the ultimate cost of the ship, which is actually a small aircraft carrier that carries a reinforced battalion of marines, up to $1.8 billion. The problems with LPD-17 are, to many navy admirals, all too common these days. The navy is not happy with the firms currently building warships. But these outfits are well connected politically, and cannot be pushed as much as the navy would like to.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS: Smaller Nations Develop Commando Capabilities
August 9, 2005: Quite a number of smaller European countries have decided that maintaining a modest SOF (Special Operations Forces like the U.S. Army Special Forces or U.S. Navy SEALs) capability is a good idea. Figures here are rounded, and cover SOF-designated personnel of all services, including administrative and training cadres, but exclude reservists
Austria 400, Belgium 300, Bulgaria 1,200, Canada 300, Czech Republic 400, Denmark 150, Estonia 100, Finland 150, Greece 1,200, Hungary 1,000, Latvia 200, Lithuania 700, Netherlands 300, Norway 150, Poland 1,250, Portugal 150, Romania 500, Slovakia 400, Slovenia 150, Sweden 1,200, Yugoslavia 1,500.
There are several reasons for the decision by these nations to develop some SOF capability, despite its high cost. The SOF personnel may be the only really professional troops available, given the short enlistments that prevail in most of these countries. Having some SOF is also useful for anti-terrorist operations, especially hostage rescue or any time you need a super-SWAT capability. And a little SOF capability can go a long way toward demonstrating a country’s solidarity with the U.S. and other major powers; several of these countries, including Sweden, have contributed SOF contingents – often just platoon sized – to operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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