American Shipbuilding Association

Thursday, 30 November 2006

CONTACT:

Cynthia L. Brown

202-544-8170

Industry Stands Behind CNO’s $14.1 Billion Budget

 (Washington, D.C.) – On November 28, 2006, during the American Shipbuilding Association’s (ASA) annual convention in Naples, Florida, a resolution was passed at the business meeting reaffirming the shipbuilding industry’s position to support the Chief of Naval Operations’ (CNO), Admiral Michael C. Mullen, proposed 5-year shipbuilding budget. This budget calls for $14.1 billion for new ship construction in fiscal year 2008, and increases every year to $19.1 billion in fiscal year 2012.

The American Shipbuilding Association encourages the Congress to fence $14.1 billion dollars in the budget of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2008 for new ship construction so that the naval fleet can be rebuilt to a minimum force of 313 ships as called for by the CNO. The United States Navy currently numbers 278 ships, well below the 313-ship fleet the Navy states is necessary to fulfill minimum force requirements in defense of our national security interests. The resolution adopted by the industry reads as follows; 

Whereas the leadership of the Navy has committed to a fiscal year 2008 budget of $14.1 billion for new ship procurement to begin rebuilding the naval fleet;

Whereas the shipbuilding industry supports the Chief of Naval Operations budget of $14.1 billion for new ship procurement in fiscal year 2008, and which increases to $19.1 billion in fiscal year 2012, to rebuild the fleet to 313 ships;

Be it resolved that the shipbuilding industry will collectively urge the Congress of the United States to authorize and appropriate a minimum of $14.1 billion in fiscal year 2008, and to support fencing the budgets outlined in the Chief of Naval Operation’s plan for new ship procurement over the next five years. 

The American Shipbuilding Association is the national trade association of the shipbuilding industry. ASA members include the nation’s largest shipyards and more than 70 companies engaged in the manufacture of ship systems and components.