In the neighbourhood: Rota-based guided-missile destroyers offer high operational return on US Navy investment

摘要

Undoubtedly, the US Navy (USN) is currently the only truly global navy, with ships, submarines, aircraft, and people deployed around the world supporting national and international interests. The USN operates about 300 active ships and submarines, and when deployed at sea these platforms are spread across six fleets, two of which - the US Second Fleet in the North Atlantic and US Fourth Fleet in Latin America - have been re-established fairly recently (in 2018 and 2008, respectively). Increasing the number of at-sea fleets by 50% from four to six in just over 10 years, and in so doing adding presence in both the North and South Atlantic, underlines the enduring global requirement for USN presence - even in an era that saw the United States announce in 2012, under the Obama administration, a strategic 'rebalancing' towards the Asia-Pacific region.