The United States Navy is planning to add 60 more battle force ships to its fleet, bringing the total to 355 ships in slightly more than a decade thanks to the largest shipbuilding request in 20 years, US Vice President Mike Pence said.
“Actually, the request from the budget — of our budget — would give the United States Navy the resources to buy 12 new battle force ships. We’ll fund 55 ships over the Future Years Defense Program, and we’ll bring the United States Navy to 355 battle force ships in a little bit more than a decade”, Pence said during his meeting with service members, as quoted by the White House late on Monday.
The statement comes as the vice president paid a visit to US Naval Air Station Jacksonville, situated in the southernmost US state of Florida.