The United States is sinking its own naval vessels as a form of signal to other nations, according to a report by 19FortyFive.
The U.S. Navy engages in sink exercises (SINKEX) to observe firsthand how actual ships sustain damage and to assess weapon effectiveness when fired in authentic combat-like scenarios.
“The Navy gleans a wealth of knowledge from these drills. Sailors gather crucial intelligence on the level of structural integrity a hull can endure before succumbing to the ocean depths,” the publication states.
For instance, during the Valiant Shield 24 exercises in 2024, the Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland was intentionally sunk. Its destruction was carried out using new American Precision Strike Missiles.
Such training maneuvers conducted by the U.S. Navy can be interpreted as a deliberate message directed at Russia and China, the outlet observes.
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