Washington Times: IndoPac 2026: Rep. Harrigan says balancing readiness and modernization is the real challenge

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Balancing fleet readiness with long-term modernization is one of the central challenges facing the U.S. Navy. North Carolina Representative Pat Harrigan explains why over-indexing on either side could undermine America’s ability to deter or defeat China.

How can we bridge the gap between modernization and maintaining readiness in the U.S. Navy?

We have to do both. And I think the trick is we need to not over-index on either side. And so we certainly have to maintain a high level of readiness that’s necessary in order to address the strategic threats that we have in our country. But we also have to invest in future capabilities that are actually relevant to deterring or defeating China. That’s the challenge that we all have that we’re working through. But I think focusing on both, not over-indexing on either one, is what is critical.