Performance Is Not Endurance: Sustaining Combat Power in Contested Operations

CIMSEC  |  Al Collins, Kevin Eyer

The United States Navy faces critical endurance and logistical vulnerabilities that threaten its ability to sustain combat power during a protracted conflict against China in the Indo-Pacific. While recent operations in the Red Sea demonstrated high tactical proficiency, they occurred under uncontested logistics conditions that do not reflect a high-end Pacific war.

Historically, sustained maritime campaigns across vast ocean distances have required robust forward-based repair capabilities and deep munitions stockpiles to offset attrition. Currently, the American military relies on a few concentrated hubs like Guam, which present severe targeting vulnerabilities to massed Chinese precision strikes. To mitigate these risks, the Pentagon must establish a distributed regional basing network and revitalize its aging sealift and auxiliary fleets. Ultimately, the service must balance high-end combatants with capable escort platforms like the Constellation-class frigate to protect vulnerable maritime supply lines under fire, thereby ensuring long-term operational viability.

Comment

Indian maritime planners must leverage the Andaman and Nicobar Command to support allied logistics. The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement provides the necessary legal framework for reciprocal port access. Joint exercises like Malabar should focus on forward replenishment and battle damage repair. These practical steps will strengthen collective maritime endurance in the Indian Ocean.

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