Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual Freedom of Navigation (FON) Report for Fiscal Year 2023. During the period from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, U.S. forces operationally challenged 29 different excessive maritime claims advanced by 17 different claimants throughout the world.
Excessive maritime claims are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention. They include a variety of restrictions on the exercise of navigation and overflight rights and other freedoms and lawful uses of the seas. Unlawful maritime claims pose a threat to global mobility and commerce, as well as the legal foundation of the rules-based international order. If left unchallenged, excessive maritime claims could limit the rights and freedoms enjoyed by every nation.
DoD's regular and routine operational challenges complement diplomatic engagements by the U.S. State Department and support the longstanding U.S. national interest in freedom of the seas worldwide.
Each year, DoD releases an unclassified FON Report summarizing the broad range of excessive maritime claims challenged by U.S. forces. It also includes general geographic information to describe the location of FON assertions. The summarized reports transparently demonstrate U.S. non-acquiescence to excessive maritime claims, while protecting the operational security of U.S. military forces.
The United States will uphold the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea for the benefit of all nations — and will stand with like-minded partners doing the same.
DoD FON Reports are available at http://policy.defense.gov/OUSDPOffices/FON.aspx.