The Navy may increase the size of its fleet amid fears the 276 vessels it has are not enough to fend off growing threats at sea from China, Iran and Russia, Fox News reports.
Officials are proposing a 355-ship fleet with 12 carriers, 104 large surface combatants, 52 small surface combatants, 38 amphibious ships and 66 submarines.
"Our advantage is shrinking. We must reverse this trend," Adm. John Richardson, chief of Naval Operations, told Fox's Malia Zimmerman.
As well, some of the ships have been in dry dock for years as they await maintenance and upgrades, according to Fox.
In one of the latest incidents, the USS Stethem sailed in the South China Sea near a disputed island claimed by China on Sunday, provoking the country, two U.S. defense officials told Fox. The Stethem is said to have come within 12 nautical miles of the Triton Island.
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