Individual ships are not more capable than they were 30 years ago, and in some cases they are less capable. There are some individual systems that are on paper more capable, but for those high $ capabilities something else was sacrificed.
The fleet supply system 30 years ago could respond anywhere in a damned hurry. Today, not so much of a hurry. We depend on a supply system today that is not in our control at all points and therefore undependable.
Our amphibious Navy is a shame now compared to 30 years ago.
Our anti-submarine capabilities and ability to cover the globe with a sensor blanket is no more. We have to shift assets to where needed, thereby uncovering other areas.
Our mine clearance assets are greatly reduced as well.
I was in when we had a 600 ship Navy. It was sufficient for peacetime. It would have been too small for a protracted single theater war.
Good post. Former destroyer sailor here. Regardless to how (allegedly) more capable our ships are today, all one has to do is take a look at a global map, most of the world is ocean, for heaven’s sake, to see what the Navy is responsible for. Big oceans require a big Navy.
In this increasingly volatile world, threats are everywhere - thanks to Obama policies. A Naval threat by China or the Norks in Westpac, another in the Med, another by the Ruskys in the Persian gulf, could happen at the same time.