US naval power threatened by new weapons: Gates: "Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday said new weapons threatened US dominance of the high seas and questioned the US Navy's reliance on costly aircraft carriers and submarines.
Anti-ship missiles and stealthy submarines could undermine the US military's global reach, putting carriers and American subs at risk, Gates said in a speech to retired members of the US Navy.
'We know other nations are working on asymmetric ways to thwart the reach and striking power of the US battle fleet,' Gates said.
He cited the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, which had used anti-ship missiles against Israel in 2006, and Iran's arsenal of missiles, mines and speedboats that he said were designed 'to challenge our naval power in that region.'
The US military's 'virtual monopoly' in precision guided weapons was 'eroding' and the spread of missiles jeopardized Washington's means of 'projecting power,' he said."
