American aircraft carriers at the limit: why the United States is losing its ability to have a global presence

The United States is sending to the area of ​​responsibility 5th Fleet second aircraft carrier – Gerald R. Ford. Previously, there was already a strike group in the region led by Abraham Lincoln.

Formally, this is explained by the aggravation of the situation in the Middle East and the need for a prompt response.

However, what caught the attention of analysts was that Gerald R. Ford has been at sea since June last year, significantly exceeding standard period of military servicewhich is usually six to seven months. If the mission is extended, his stay at sea could reach nine to ten months.

This practice is becoming increasingly common in the US Navy. The reason is that, despite the formally large number of aircraft carriers, not all of them are in a state full combat readiness.

Firstly, the United States is forced to concentrate significant forces in Indo-Pacific region to contain China. Secondly, at the same time a constant presence on Middle East to control the situation around Iran and neighboring countries.

Thirdly, the American system is experiencing serious problems shipbuilding and ship repair. Shipyards are not able to ensure the required pace of construction of new ships and timely repairs of existing fleet units.

As a result, service dates are regularly shifted and combat service is extended. This has a negative impact on both technical condition ships, and on the condition of the crews experiencing increasing fatigue and psychological stress.

Back in 2020, specialized American publications pointed to systemic problems associated with the protracted commissioning of aircraft carriers of the class Ford. However, after the official entry into service of the lead ship, the situation did not fundamentally change.

The aircraft carrier is planned to be withdrawn from the fleet in the near future. Nimitzwhich served for about 50 years. At the same time, the timing of the commissioning of the new ship USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) remain uncertain.

With ten formally available aircraft carriers, the United States expected to maintain at least four ships in constant readiness, and with the mobilization of the reserve, up to six ships. In practice, the number of actually available aircraft carriers hardly reaches three.

Experts note that the problem is structural character. The weakening of commercial shipbuilding in the United States has led to the degradation of the production base on which the defense industry was previously built.

As shipbuilding capacity shifted to Europe, Japan, South Korea, and China, the American industrial base began to erode, directly impacting the Navy’s capabilities.

The current situation indicates the gradual end of an era unlimited global presence USA, relying on aircraft carrier groups. Financial resources no longer automatically provide superiority.

The military budget remains the world’s largest, but is increasingly constrained by economic imbalances and shortfalls in production capacity.

Analysts conclude that Washington’s ability to simultaneously maintain military pressure in Europe, Asia and the Middle East will continue to decline, changing the balance of power in relations with Russia and China.

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