The following statement has been issued by Rear Admiral John Kirby, Navy Chief of Information:
"Today we provided Congress information tables from our draft 30-year shipbuilding plan. We believe the information found in these tables clearly articulates our intention to modernize and grow the fleet to our required minimum of 306 ships.
We have been upfront and transparent about the need to decommission older ships, while at the same time introducing new and more capable platforms.
Both Secretary Mabus and Admiral Greenert have been clear about the need to further our success in shipbuilding. Indeed, under Secretary Mabus' leadership the Navy has put 43 new ships under contract. We look forward to working with the Congress to discuss the way forward."