US to redeploy naval fleet in Asia-Pacific region

 June 2nd 2012

Washington, June 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The US will re-deploy bulk of its naval fleet in the Pacific Ocean by 2020, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said.

"By 2020, the navy will reposture its forces from today's roughly 50-50 percent split between the Pacific and the Atlantic to about a 60-40 split between those oceans," Panetta said.

"That will include six aircraft carriers in this region, a majority of our cruisers, destroyers, combat ships and submarines," he added.

Panetta was speaking at the 11th Asia Security Summit of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore Saturday.

Panetta rejected the suggestion that changes in the US military strategy were aimed at containing China's growing influence.

"Some view the increased emphasis by the United States on the Asia-Pacific region as some kind of challenge to China. I reject that view entirely," he said.

Panetta said: "President Obama has stated that the United States will play a larger role in this region over the decades to come. [As for defense policy], we will play a central role in promoting strong partnerships and strengthen the capabilities of the Pacific nations to defend and secure themselves."

President Barack Obama announced in November 2011 that the Asia-Pacific region was a top priority of the country's security policy.