KEY INTELLIGENCE TAKEAWAYS & SUMMARY

• The US Navy and Marine Corps have agreed to expand the amphibious warfare ship fleet from 31 to 40 to meet global operational requirements.
• According to the new plan, the amphibious fleet will consist of 13 large amphibious transport dock ships (LHD/LHA) and 27 LPD amphibious transport dock ships.
• This move is considered critical for the sustainability of the '3.0 ARG/MEU' strategy, which aims to maintain simultaneous global deployment of three Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs).
• There is a clear shift from the 'Force Design 2030' doctrine's small ship-focused concept to a large amphibious ship-focused power projection approach.