In one of his inaugural public engagements, Newly appointed Interim Navy Secretary Hung Cao recently outlined his strategic objectives for the Navy.

During his speech at the Modern Day Marine exposition in Washington, Cao discussed his goals for the Golden Fleet, initiatives for modernizing the Navy and Marine Corps, and the qualities and military principles he expects from prospective members of the service.

Cao assumed the role of acting secretary the previous Wednesday, following the dismissal of former Navy Secretary John Phelan by the Trump administration.

Previously, Cao had voiced criticism towards a sailor who had participated in a drag performance, articulating his perspective on the ideal attributes for future military personnel.

Cao explicitly stated, “I don’t need cross-dressers in the military. I need alpha males and alpha females.”

Continuing his discourse on military culture, Cao emphasized the need for “meat eaters” rather than “leaf eaters” in the services.

The acting Navy secretary elaborated on the Golden Fleet, explaining that the initiative was not solely about ship construction but also about overhauling the procurement process to achieve a balanced fleet comprising both high-end, expensive ships and their more economical counterparts.

He highlighted the importance of diversifying the fleet with frigates, battleships, and unmanned systems, noting that a destroyer is not suitable for every scenario.

Cao acknowledged the fiscal constraints the Navy faces, as it attempts to manage a myriad of financial challenges.

The fiscal 2026 defense budget has allocated $838.7 billion for discretionary spending, and President Donald Trump has proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2027.

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Within these budgetary limits, Cao explained that the Navy would prioritize enhancements to ships, aircraft, and other equipment, while also ensuring ongoing maintenance and upgrades where necessary.

He also highlighted the Navy’s focus on advancing the sixth generation aircraft F/A-XX, the new Navy Medium Landing Ship, and additional amphibious transport docks.

The Navy’s Medium Landing Ship project aims to procure between 18 and 35 amphibious ships to support the Marine Corps. These ships are designed to transport troops, equipment, and supplies to shorelines without the need for established port facilities.

For shipbuilding in fiscal 2027, the defense budget has requested $65.8 billion, which includes funding for six Medium Landing Ships.