Gates suggests Navy rethink massive fleet to save money

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday called intoquestion the Navy's heavy and expensive arsenal of ships and subs.

In a speech before naval officers and contractors, Gates did notsay he was planning to cut any programs or its budget.

But he did say the military must rethink whether it can affordsuch a massive naval fleet at a time when the Army and Marine Corpsneed more money to take care of troops and their families.

"Do we really need 11 carrier strike groups for another 30 yearswhen no other country has more than one?" Gates asked.

He noted that the Navy's most expensive resources aren't on thefront lines when it comes to …