Caption
Projectile cartridge cases are heated in the heat treat shop as a part of the production process at Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on December 8, 2023. (DVIDS)
Caption
Ships from the George Washington and Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Groups steam in formation at the conclusion of Valiant Shield 2014. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)
President Trump campaigned on the promise to rebuild and renew American military power. Increasing the size of the Navy from 274 ships to 350 is central to this goal. However, such an increase in naval strength will require considerable resources and cannot happen overnight. In order to ensure success, important questions must be answered about the strategy, size, shape, and capabilities of the future Navy: the appropriate mix of ship designs, the role of unmanned systems, the efficacy of current methods of posturing naval forces, and the threats this force is likely to face.
On March 1, Hudson Institute's Center for American Seapower hosted an expert panel discussion on the challenges associated with meeting the 350-ship goal. Former Under Secretary of the Navy Janine Davidson and Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments Senior Fellow Bryan Clark joined Hudson Institute's Seth Cropsey and Bryan McGrath to discuss the steps needed to make the 350-ship Navy a reality.
Related Events
19
February 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Economic Case for the US-Israel Partnership with Minister of Economic Affairs Noach Hacker
Featured Speaker:
Noach Hacker
Moderator:
Michael Doran
20
February 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Toward a Stronger US-Taiwan Partnership: Unpacking the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
Featured Speakers:
Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Bonnie Glaser
Moderator:
Riley Walters
20
February 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Toward a Stronger US-Taiwan Partnership: Unpacking the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
Join Hudson for an expert panel on why these deals are so important for both nations, what they mean for the future of US supply chains, and what potential challenges remain for implementing these deals.
Featured Speakers:
Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Bonnie Glaser
Moderator:
Riley Walters
20
February 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Road to Lasting Peace: US Leadership in the South Caucasus
Featured Speakers:
Vinay Chawla
Luke Coffey
Sonata Coulter
Andrew D’Anieri
Efgan Nifti
Moderator:
Michael Doran
20
February 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Road to Lasting Peace: US Leadership in the South Caucasus
Join Hudson for a conversation with officials who have been at the center of these efforts, expert financiers, and leading regional analysts on what the deal achieved, what comes next, and why sustained US engagement in the South Caucasus matters.
Featured Speakers:
Vinay Chawla
Luke Coffey
Sonata Coulter
Andrew D’Anieri
Efgan Nifti
Moderator:
Michael Doran
20
February 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Nigeria: Country of Particular Concern or Counterterrorism Partner?
Featured Speakers:
Kabir Adamu
Yusuf Anka
Cheta Nwanze
Michael Walsh
Moderator:
James Barnett
20
February 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Nigeria: Country of Particular Concern or Counterterrorism Partner?
Will this security cooperation be the new normal for US-Nigeria relations, or will Trump escalate his diplomatic and economic pressure?
Featured Speakers:
Kabir Adamu
Yusuf Anka
Cheta Nwanze
Michael Walsh
Moderator:
James Barnett
Related Research
Caption
The Ukrainian Motherland Monument is seen in Kyiv on June 3, 2025. (Getty Images)
Caption
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee National Academy of Governance on January 20, 2026. (Getty Images)
Caption
Soldiers assemble a Ukrainian GARA drone before a combat mission in the Pokrovsky direction, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on January 23, 2026. (Getty Images)