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In her first major address since assuming leadership of the US Navy two months ago, Admiral Lisa Franchetti emphasized the need to expand naval capabilities in response to escalating international crises.

Speaking at the Surface Navy Association’s annual conference, Franchetti outlined her focus on improving the Navy’s readiness, integrating it more effectively with the joint force, and collaborating with Congress and industry to meet naval demands.

Franchetti highlighted the Navy’s current posture, which is prepared to respond to potential escalations in Ukraine and Israel, actively engages in countering Houthi missiles in the Red Sea, and maintains a significant presence in the Pacific to deter Chinese aggression against US partners and allies. To enhance the fleet’s operational capacity, she highlighted the importance of on-time delivery of new ships, efficient maintenance cycles, extended service life of existing vessels, and the integration of unmanned systems and disruptive technologies.

“It’s not a number,” she explained regarding fleet expansion, “It’s an ecosystem of all of those things put together.”

Franchetti’s strategy encompasses three key areas: warfighting, warfighters, and the foundational support for both. In the warfighting domain, she prioritizes readiness and capabilities essential for victory at sea, along with the necessary logistics and shore support. She also plans to advance naval integration with the Marine Corps and synchronize efforts with the Joint Force.

Addressing the warfighter aspect, Franchetti aims to empower leaders and provide troops with high-quality training and support services. The foundation, as she described, involves working with Congress to maintain a powerful navy and collaborating with industry and academia to address pressing challenges.