Navy Taking Steps To Move Toward Irregular Warfare

Defense secretary Robert Gates has called for 55 Littoral Combat Ships, which are designed to operate in shallow, or littoral, waters. “The littoral areas, I believe, are going to become increasingly important. We currently have about 70 percent of the world’s population that lives within about a 100- to 200-mile band along the coasts,” said Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations. Courtesy of the U.S. Navy

From Stars And Stripes:

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Pentagon wants a 6.1 percent budget increase for the Navy to build eight new ships next year.

The ship buy, coupled with cuts to other programs, Pentagon budget officials said Thursday, is designed to help restructure the military with a better "balance" toward handling contemporary threats, and to squash the department’s legendary out-of-control spending, per Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ directive.

"A balance between competing priorities, balance between the right mix for addressing such issues as conventional vs. irregular warfare, balance between addressing current events and anticipating future events," said Adm. Terry Blake, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy.

Read more ....

My Comment: I missed this story last week. One can see the hand of Robert Gates and those who believe the future will be made up of small conflicts in this decision. Hat Tip to New Wars who pointed out this story.