The era of US domination in the Pacific is coming to an end
A meeting of the Surface Association took place a few days ago in the USA fleet. Among other speakers, Admiral Sam Locklear, Head of the US Pacific Command, spoke at the event. He spoke about some trends in the development of the geopolitical situation in the Pacific Ocean, and also noted their negative consequences.
The main theme of Admiral Locklear's report was the prospects for US troops in the Pacific region. The warlord acknowledged that recent events in the region have led to a gradual reduction in the superiority of the American armed forces in the region. The era when the naval and air forces of the United States fully controlled the Pacific, with no competitors, comes to an end. New strong states with their own interests have appeared in the region.
The main reason for the reduction of American superiority, Admiral Locklear, considers the development of the Chinese armed forces. China is actively modernizing its navy, as it intends to secure the status of a regional leader. The development of China and the reduction of defense spending in the United States in the future will lead to a serious change in the balance of forces in the Pacific.
The head of the Pacific Command expressed some thoughts about maintaining the current situation. In order to avoid a major change in the balance of power, the United States must resume work in a number of promising areas. In particular, it is necessary to continue the creation of new anti-ship guided missiles.
Another way to preserve the balance of power in the Pacific may be the redistribution of US Navy ships, taking into account existing and future threats. The Pentagon is already implementing a gradual transfer of ships to the Pacific Ocean. As a result of the implementation of the current plans, more than half of the existing warships will serve at Pacific bases. However, such a strategy has obvious disadvantages. Due to limited financial capabilities, the Pacific ship grouping will have to be replenished at the expense of other connections, which will lead to a weakening of the latter.
S. Locklear encourages the development of new plans and strategies that will take into account new risks and threats. It is necessary to consider various scenarios of developments, including those in which the United States does not have much advantage over potential opponents. It should be noted that in this century new regions may emerge in which the United States military will lose unconditional leadership.
The local wars of recent times affected the capabilities of the US Pacific group. The United States Navy, Air Force, Ground Forces, and United States Marine Corps have fought at great distances from the Pacific Ocean over the past few decades, which has strengthened the army in some areas and weakened in others. Given current trends, sufficient attention needs to be paid again to troops with a Pacific region in their area of responsibility.
An important topic in the context of changing the balance of power in the Pacific is also new weapons. Not so long ago, the Pentagon reported on the Chinese tests of a promising hypersonic shock system. By some estimates, similar weapon it is capable of overcoming air defense and missile defense of ship formations, and therefore represents a great danger, including for American ships.
The pace of development of the Chinese armed forces and insufficient attention to their own troops by the leadership of the United States makes S. Locklear worry. To maintain the leading position, it is necessary not only to increase the number of ships or aircraft, but also to create new equipment or weapons. Without modern equipment with high performance, the United States will not be able to maintain a dominant position in any region.
Admiral Locklear noted that China is not the only threat to the United States in the Pacific. No less serious problem should be considered North Korea. This state has extremely difficult relations with almost all of its neighbors, which is why the military-political situation on the Korean Peninsula is extremely tense. The presence of nuclear weapons and means of delivery of the DPRK further complicates this problem. Pyongyang’s unpredictable actions could lead to armed conflict that will affect the entire Pacific region.
The internal problems of the United States in combination with the potential of other states can lead to a noticeable change in the balance of power in some regions. The growth rate of Chinese military power directly suggests that first of all this balance will change on the Pacific Ocean. In the future, it is possible to repeat similar events in other areas of the planet. This means that the United States, if they want to maintain a dominant position in important regions, or at least not lose their main positions, will have to develop new strategies in the very near future.
On the materials of the sites:
http://navytimes.com/
http://breakingdefense.com/
http://rus.ruvr.ru/
The main theme of Admiral Locklear's report was the prospects for US troops in the Pacific region. The warlord acknowledged that recent events in the region have led to a gradual reduction in the superiority of the American armed forces in the region. The era when the naval and air forces of the United States fully controlled the Pacific, with no competitors, comes to an end. New strong states with their own interests have appeared in the region.
The main reason for the reduction of American superiority, Admiral Locklear, considers the development of the Chinese armed forces. China is actively modernizing its navy, as it intends to secure the status of a regional leader. The development of China and the reduction of defense spending in the United States in the future will lead to a serious change in the balance of forces in the Pacific.
The head of the Pacific Command expressed some thoughts about maintaining the current situation. In order to avoid a major change in the balance of power, the United States must resume work in a number of promising areas. In particular, it is necessary to continue the creation of new anti-ship guided missiles.
Another way to preserve the balance of power in the Pacific may be the redistribution of US Navy ships, taking into account existing and future threats. The Pentagon is already implementing a gradual transfer of ships to the Pacific Ocean. As a result of the implementation of the current plans, more than half of the existing warships will serve at Pacific bases. However, such a strategy has obvious disadvantages. Due to limited financial capabilities, the Pacific ship grouping will have to be replenished at the expense of other connections, which will lead to a weakening of the latter.
S. Locklear encourages the development of new plans and strategies that will take into account new risks and threats. It is necessary to consider various scenarios of developments, including those in which the United States does not have much advantage over potential opponents. It should be noted that in this century new regions may emerge in which the United States military will lose unconditional leadership.
The local wars of recent times affected the capabilities of the US Pacific group. The United States Navy, Air Force, Ground Forces, and United States Marine Corps have fought at great distances from the Pacific Ocean over the past few decades, which has strengthened the army in some areas and weakened in others. Given current trends, sufficient attention needs to be paid again to troops with a Pacific region in their area of responsibility.
An important topic in the context of changing the balance of power in the Pacific is also new weapons. Not so long ago, the Pentagon reported on the Chinese tests of a promising hypersonic shock system. By some estimates, similar weapon it is capable of overcoming air defense and missile defense of ship formations, and therefore represents a great danger, including for American ships.
The pace of development of the Chinese armed forces and insufficient attention to their own troops by the leadership of the United States makes S. Locklear worry. To maintain the leading position, it is necessary not only to increase the number of ships or aircraft, but also to create new equipment or weapons. Without modern equipment with high performance, the United States will not be able to maintain a dominant position in any region.
Admiral Locklear noted that China is not the only threat to the United States in the Pacific. No less serious problem should be considered North Korea. This state has extremely difficult relations with almost all of its neighbors, which is why the military-political situation on the Korean Peninsula is extremely tense. The presence of nuclear weapons and means of delivery of the DPRK further complicates this problem. Pyongyang’s unpredictable actions could lead to armed conflict that will affect the entire Pacific region.
The internal problems of the United States in combination with the potential of other states can lead to a noticeable change in the balance of power in some regions. The growth rate of Chinese military power directly suggests that first of all this balance will change on the Pacific Ocean. In the future, it is possible to repeat similar events in other areas of the planet. This means that the United States, if they want to maintain a dominant position in important regions, or at least not lose their main positions, will have to develop new strategies in the very near future.
On the materials of the sites:
http://navytimes.com/
http://breakingdefense.com/
http://rus.ruvr.ru/
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