Fewer submarines planned in Groton

GROTON, Conn. (AP) — The Navy's top admiral says the Navy plans to keep fewer submarines in Groton as the military shifts its focus toward Asia.

Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert told The Day of New London (http://bit.ly/SkXT2b ) that by 2020, the Naval Submarine Base is expected to have two squadrons with six attack submarines per squadron, instead of the 16 submarines it now has.

Greenert says there won't be a major departure of submarines and crews. He says submarines that retire will not always be replaced.

He says the Navy wants to establish or re-establish relationships with numerous allies throughout Asia.

Greenert dismissed as an oversimplification the idea that the strategy, announced in January, is a way to contain China's growing military power.

___

Information from: The Day, http://www.theday.com