US Navy Struggles to Repair Damaged Ships in Hypothetical War with China

RAND Corporation has released a new study revealing significant challenges the U.S. Navy would face in repairing battle-damaged ships during a potential conflict with China. According to the report, American naval maintenance facilities lack sufficient spare parts and capacity to handle repairs efficiently within the theater of operations. This limitation could severely impact the navy's ability to sustain combat readiness.

The study highlights that the United States' Pacific allies also do not have adequate shipyard capabilities or may be politically reluctant to support repair efforts for U.S. vessels. The RAND analysis is based on a tabletop wargame conducted in August 2025, simulating various scenarios of naval engagements between the U.S. and China over Taiwan's defense.

RAND warns that existing Navy systems for battle-damage repair are inefficient and ill-prepared to cope with widespread damage from advanced Chinese weaponry such as ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and torpedoes. The report underscores the need for improved command-and-control mechanisms and mobile repair capabilities to address these issues effectively. It recommends expanding deployable repair teams, flyaway assessment units, and scalable Expeditionary Mobile Repair Facilities.

The wargame also exposed poor coordination between U.S. forces and their Pacific allies regarding access to ports and shipyards. Participants often lacked clear understanding of each other's logistical capacities and regulatory frameworks for wartime operations. Additionally, there were concerns about potential Chinese retaliation against allied nations that assist in repairing damaged American ships.