Eric Labs

Eric Labs, a Congressional Budget Office Analyst for Naval Forces and Weapons, discusses the U.S. Navy's challenges amid rising threats from China. He emphasizes the urgent need for an overhaul in shipbuilding processes and debates whether warships should be sourced from American suppliers or allies like South Korea and Japan. Labs highlights the importance of adapting naval strategies to modern warfare, including the integration of drones, and underscores the crucial role of logistics in maintaining naval supremacy.

In this conversation, Matthew Funaiole, a senior fellow at CSIS, and Eric Labs, a senior analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, delve into the stark contrast between U.S. and Chinese shipbuilding capabilities. They discuss how China's industrial growth, fueled by state support, poses significant strategic challenges for the U.S. The duo outlines potential policies to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding, including labor improvements and partnerships with allies. Their insights illuminate urgent concerns over U.S. naval readiness amid a changing global landscape.