The Naval Brief: Prioritizing spare parts; Ship emissions; Russian naval blockade; and more...

Welcome to The Naval Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the sea services’ future. 

Spare parts. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., questioned why spare parts were on the Navy and Marine Corps’ unfunded priorities lists despite readiness being one of their top priorities, Defense One reports. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday acknowledged that they had underinvested in having spare parts at sea to save money and are working to “make things right.”

Climate change strategy. The Department of the Navy’s new climate strategy lacks any specific goals to reduce the emissions of their biggest producers: ships and aircraft, Defense One reports. Climate change is “one of the most destabilizing forces of our time,” Meredith Berger, the assistant Navy secretary for energy, installations, and environment, told reporters.

Controlling port access. The Russian naval blockade of Ukraine’s coast on the Black Sea is hurting the world’s food supplies, the Washington Post reports. Twenty million tons of wheat are stuck in Ukraine, according to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russia has bombed grain warehouses on purpose. 

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From Defense One

Boeing's F/A-18 Outshines Lockheed's Flashy Hypersonic Jet in 'Top Gun: Maverick' // Marcus Weisgerber

But can the Super Hornet's star turn keep the production line open?

We Need a New Law to Counter Domestic Drone Threats // Liz Sherwood-Randall

The White House sent Congress a plan to protect Americans. It's not a moment too soon for lawmakers to act.

Nuclear vs. Conventional Spending? We Don't Have that Luxury // Eric S. Edelman and Franklin Miller

The call to boost one at the expense of the other is wrong.

Finland, Sweden Would Contribute Militarily to NATO on 'Day One,' General Says // Jacqueline Feldscher

Alliance applicants would bring expertise in deterring Russia and advanced naval capabilities in the Baltic Sea.