Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin’s sat down for an exclusive interview with Navy Under Secretary Eric Raven on the AUKUS agreement and submarine industrial base at the Pentagon on Friday April 12, 2024. (Fox News)
"The basic fact is this: Our defense industrial base is not where it needs to be," Wicker said.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News, U.S. Navy Under Secretary Erik Raven explained how the Navy is addressing the shortage. Asked why the submarine industry is so behind and backed up, Raven said demand for submarines has gone up five times in the last 15 years.
"While industry has been increasing its production, it's been challenging. And what we're seeing is they're not quite catching up to the demand signal, but we're doing something about it," Raven said.
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Raven explained the U.S. Navy is partnering with private industry, state and local governments, community colleges and non-profits to recruit 100,000 Americans to work in the submarine industry.
"We're going through a generational change in the workforce at our shipyards and our suppliers. So we need to build new talent, bring in more Americans to work in the sector and also in supply chain. Covid was a significant interruption in our ability to do business," Raven said.
It is a modern day "Uncle Sam Wants You!" campaign.
The U.S. nuclear-powered submarine USS Michigan is anchored at a port in Busan, South Korea, on June 16, 2023. (Reuters/Yonhap)
Earlier this month, Admiral John Aquilino, U.S. Pacific Commander, assessed China would be capable of invading Taiwan in 2027. One way the U.S. stays ahead of China as the dominant Navy power is its submarines.
"Submarines have a unique role in securing the peace all around the world. Their ability to move unchallenged, through, through the seas, all around the world is an incredible asymmetric advantage. And the United States builds and operates the world's most advanced submarines," Raven said.
Asked about reports China is building a "Great Underwater Wall," to monitor submarine activity in the waters around China, Raven said he is not concerned.
"We have an incredibly capable submarine force that's capable of tackling any challenge that her adversaries may pose… our submarines are incredibly capable," Raven said.
Raven emphasized in order to stay ahead of China, the U.S. must have a strong submarine industrial base.
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"These are good, dependable jobs with a long future. No matter whether you are an engineer, a welder, an electrician or an accountant, there's some role for any American who has an interest in helping us build submarines," Raven said.
Liz Friden is a Pentagon producer based in Washington, D.C.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/exclusive-us-navy-under-secretary-erik-raven-on-the-aukus-agreement