Wars Are Won by Production,” Says U.S. Navy Secretary John C. Phelan, Signals Expanded Naval Power
Phelan’s remarks reflect a broader shift in defense thinking, where industrial capacity, shipbuilding speed, and sustained production are once again viewed as decisive factors in global conflict—particularly amid rising great-power competition. The message is clear: future military dominance will depend as much on factories and shipyards as on fleets and firepower.
Wars Are Won by Production,” Says U.S. Navy Secretary John C. Phelan, Signals Expanded Naval Power
Washington | Defense Correspondent: U.S. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan has emphasized that modern wars are won not only through tactics or technology, but through industrial strength, scalable production systems, and disciplined execution.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Phelan stated:
“Wars are won by production. By the ability to make things. By disciplined execution. By building production systems that scale.”
Global Operations Around the Clock
Highlighting the global role of the U.S. Navy, Phelan noted that American naval forces operate above, on, and below the sea, maintaining a continuous presence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This constant readiness, he said, ensures that the United States can respond rapidly to crises anywhere in the world.
“Where Are the Carriers?”
Phelan underscored the strategic importance of aircraft carriers in global security, stating that whenever instability emerges anywhere on the globe, the first question policymakers ask is:
“Where are the carriers?”
Aircraft carriers, long regarded as symbols of American power projection, remain central to U.S. military strategy.
Battleships Back in Strategic Thinking?
In a notable forward-looking remark, Phelan suggested an expanded naval focus going beyond carriers.
“Going forward, it will be where are the carriers and where are the battleships?”
Defense analysts interpret this as a signal that heavy surface combatants and large-scale naval firepower could regain prominence in future U.S. naval doctrine, alongside modern carrier strike groups.
Strategic Implications
Phelan’s remarks reflect a broader shift in defense thinking, where industrial capacity, shipbuilding speed, and sustained production are once again viewed as decisive factors in global conflict—particularly amid rising great-power competition.
The message is clear: future military dominance will depend as much on factories and shipyards as on fleets and firepower.
