US Navy Pacific Fleet Needs More Submarines

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS North Dakota pulls into Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., Jan. 31, 2019.

JASON GEDDES/U.S. NAVY

INDOPACOM chief: Sub shortfall in Pacific poses threat to daily operations: According to Adm. Philip Davidson, China, Russia and North Korea operate 160 submarines in the Indo-Pacific region — and as these countries continue to increase their sub capacity, the U.S. is retiring such vessels faster than they are replaced.