Navy Littoral Combat Ships May Be Decomissioned

Recently, the Navy published a list of ships that it wishes to decommission or otherwise shift from active service in fiscal year 2023. The list’s fate now rests with Congress, which must approve it and may amend it before doing so.

While many of the Navy’s choices — older combat vessels, support ships, and minesweepers — should be uncontroversial, the inclusion of every Freedom-class littoral-combat ship (LCS) is eyebrow-raising, even if it ultimately makes sense, given the class’s myriad issues and specious defense value.

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Luther Ray Abel

Luther Ray Abel is an Associate Editor for National Review. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Luther is a proud native of Sheboygan, Wis.

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Recently, the Navy published a list of ships that it wishes to decommission or otherwise shift from active service in fiscal year 2023. The list’s fate now rests with Congress, which must approve it and may amend it before doing so.

While many of the Navy’s choices — older combat vessels, support ships, and minesweepers — should be uncontroversial, the inclusion of every Freedom-class littoral-combat ship (LCS) is eyebrow-raising, even if it ultimately makes sense, given the class’s myriad issues and specious defense value.