Hudson Institute to Host Conference: 'Don't Give Up the Ships -- A Look at a 200-Ship Navy'

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Navy today possesses approximately 280 ships, less than half the number achieved during the Cold War. Between likely budget cuts, the increased cost of shipbuilding, and continued de-commissionings, the long-term outlook is that the fleet will continue its decrease in size, perhaps reaching as few ships as 200. What does this decrease mean for the United States? What will be required to turn the situation around? And what are the long-term consequences for the United States, its allies, and international security if U.S. naval strength erodes substantially?

"Allowing the current U.S. naval slippage to continue will result in a combat fleet of a size we haven't seen since 1911," said Seth Cropsey, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow and former Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy.

In order to address this issue, Hudson Institute is hosting a conference with some of the country's most pre-eminent naval experts. Speakers will include Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA); John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy; Eric Labs, Principal Naval Analyst for the Congressional Budget Office; Aaron Friedberg, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University; James Clad, Professor of Near East and South Asian Studies, National Defense University; and Seth Cropsey. Chairman of the Hudson Board of Trustees Allan Tessler will introduce the event and Senior Vice President for International Programs and Policy S. Enders Wimbush will moderate.

When: May 22, 2009

10:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Where: Electric Boat Corporation

Washington Office

1201 M St., SE

Suite 100

Washington, D.C. 20003-3708

RSVP: events@hudson.org

Hudson Institute is a nonpartisan policy research organization dedicated to innovative research and analysis that promotes global security, prosperity, and freedom.