Addressing PACFLT,S Surface Ship Maintenance Challenges: Leveraging Japanese and South Korean Ship Repair Capabilities to Overcome Domestic Capacity Constraints

Abstract

The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) faces a severe maintenance capacity crisis that threatens its operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. This research examines how insufficient domestic ship repair capacity directly contributes to persistent maintenance delays, creating a cascade of operational challenges. Analysis of Government Accountability Office data reveals consistent schedule overruns for surface ship maintenance periods, significantly reducing fleet availability for training and operations. Aging infrastructure, workforce limitations, and insufficient dry dock capacity compound these challenges. While the Navy has initiated domestic improvement programs like the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP), these efforts will require decades to mature fully. This thesis proposes leveraging Japanese and South Korean maritime industrial capabilities to supplement domestic maintenance capacity. Both nations possess world-class shipbuilding and repair industries with demonstrated technical compatibility with U.S. Navy vessels. This approach would address immediate maintenance backlogs while providing time for the revitalization of the domestic industrial base. Implementation challenges include legal, political, and economic considerations. The research concludes that a strategic partnership with these allies offers a possible solution to enhance PACFLT readiness in the near term while supporting the long-term health of the industrial base.