The United States Navy has warned Congress that ongoing military operations linked to 'Operation Epic Fury' are placing growing pressure on defence funding and could begin affecting training, recruitment and readiness programmes by July without additional financial support.
During aHouse Armed Services Committee hearingon the Navy's fiscal year 2027 budget request, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle said the current budget did not account for the operational costs associated with the campaign. He warned the Navy may soon be forced to reduce exercises and delay personnel processing if supplemental funding is not approved.
The warning comes as the Pentagon continuesbalancing overseas operationswith wider concerns over shipbuilding delays, fleet readiness and military modernisation. Lawmakers from both parties used the hearing to debate how the United States should finance long-term naval expansion while managing rising operational costs and growing competition from China.
Speaking before the committee, Caudle said the Navy was already absorbing significant operational expenses linked to deployments in the Middle East, includingfuel, training, munitions, aircraft maintenance and operating hours associated with combat operations.
He warned that without supplemental funding, the Navy could begin making operational reductions during the 'July timeframe' in order to preserve resources for ongoing missions.
According to the Admiral, those measures could include scaling back exercises, limiting routine operations and slowing the movement of new recruits through the system.
Caudle also said financial pressures were affecting personnel accounts, warning that between 12,000 and 15,000 new accessions could be delayed without additional funding for enlistment bonuses and relocation costs.
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The hearing also focused heavily on wider concerns surrounding shipbuilding capacity and fleet readiness as the Navy seeks to expand operations across multiple global regions.
Source: International Business Times UK
