The US military’s Indo-Pacific Command has sought a fund of $27.4 billion
to build a network of precision-strike missiles. It has submitted the core proposal
titled ‘Pacific Deterrence Initiative’ (PDI) to Congress.
The idea is to enhance its conventional deterrence against China.
The plan envisages developing and deploying these missiles along the first island chain on
the west of the International Date Line (IDL) over the next 6 years. IDL is an imaginary
line of demarcation on the Earth’s surface running from the North Pole to the South Pole.
It is an investment plan for fiscal 2022 through fiscal 2027.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes how the U.S plans to ward off the Chinese threat
by building a network of precision-strike missiles
in Indo Pacific? Let's get started.
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In a speech at the Washington-based think tank American Enterprise Institute, Adm. Philip
Davidson, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said there are concerns about the next six years
as a period when China may look to change the status quo in the region, such as with Taiwan.
He said there is "a fundamental understanding that the period between now and 2026,
this decade, is the time horizon in which China is positioned to achieve overmatch in its capability,
and when Beijing could, 'could,' widely choose to forcibly change the status quo in the region."
"And I would say the change in that status quo could be permanent," he said.
The six-year total of $27.4 billion
represents a 36% increase over planned spending for that period as of fiscal 2020.
This reflects a growing alarm over Chinese activity in the region.
Viewers may note the first island chain consists of a group of islands
including Taiwan, Okinawa, and the Philippines.
China sees it as the first line of defense. Beijing's "anti-access/area denial" strategy
seeks to push American forces out of the East and South China seas within the first island chain.
This includes deployment of long range air defense systems as well as anti ship missile batteries.
China also seeks to keep U.S. forces from approaching the "second island chain" in the
Western Pacific, which runs from southeastern Japan out to Guam and south to Indonesia.
The document stated, "The greatest danger
to the future of the United States continues to be an erosion of conventional deterrence,"
the document said. "Without a valid and convincing conventional deterrent,
China is emboldened to take action in the region and globally to supplant U.S.
interests. As the Indo-Pacific's military balance becomes more unfavorable, the U.S. accumulates
additional risk that may embolden adversaries to unilaterally attempt to change the status quo."
Specifically, it called for "the fielding of an Integrated Joint Force with precision-strike
networks west of the International Date Line along the first island chain,
integrated air missile defense in the second island chain,
and a distributed force posture that provides the ability to preserve stability,
and if needed, dispense and sustain combat operations for extended periods."
The U.S has been hindered by the INF Treaty.
The INF Treaty was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987.
It banned ground-launch missiles with ranges from 500 km to 5,500 km that is 310 to 3420 miles
The INF Treaty eliminated around
2,700 nuclear and conventional missiles, as well as their launchers. This was achieved by May 1991.
This included short-range missiles with 310–620 mi that is 500–1,000 km
range and intermediate-range missiles with 620–3,420 mi that is 1,000–5,500 km range.
The INF Treaty had significant opposition in America’s power circle.
Harry Harris, the former commander of U.S. Pacific Command
who is now U.S. ambassador to South Korea is one of them.
In testimony submitted to Congress last year, Harris pointed to several important aspects.
He noted that China is not a signatory of any treaty
like this and used it to develop a large arsenal of missiles.
As per him, the Chinese Rocket Forces has more than 2,000 ballistic and cruise missiles,
almost 95% of which would violate the INF threat if China was a signature.
Amidst continuing growth of China's missile forces,
then U.S President Donald Trump announced on 20 October
2018 that he was withdrawing the US from the treaty due to supposed Russian non-compliance.
Since the withdrawal, the U.S has tested several missiles
that would not have been possible when the INF Treaty was in force.
In Aug 2019, the Pentagon stated that the U.S military successfully tested “a
conventionally configured ground-launched cruise missile at San Nicolas Island, California.”.
The U.S Department of Defense said the missile “accurately
impacted its target after more than 500 kilometers” (311 miles) of flight.
As per reports, the missile was launched from Mark 41 Vertical Launch System.
Another option being developed is Lockheed Martin’s precision strike missile, or PrSM.
The latest test was carried out in April 2020 and it went well.
The success brought the ongoing testing record of PrSM to “three for three.”
Two previous tests took place in December and March 2019.
The missile is expected to reach Initial Operational Capability in 2023.
There is a concern in Washington that China could take a hostile step
in the next few years especially when it comes to Japan and Taiwan.
The animosity between Japan and China has increased
with China trying to wrest control of the Senkaku islands.
The U.S is Japan’s ally and is bound by the treaty of 'Mutual Cooperation and Security'
to come to Japan’s aid in case Japan faces aggression from an external party.
China has threatened to bring Taiwan under its fold even if it requires the use of force.
In recent times, it has increased the pressure by frequently sending military jets and warships.
The relation between Taiwan–United States is
unofficial and informal and is governed by the Taiwan Relations Act.
The Taiwan Relations Act is designed to maintain ambiguity and does not state if the USA will
or will not intervene militarily if the PRC attacks or invades Taiwan.
Under the act, the U.S is obligated to sell “arms of a defensive character” to Taiwan.
Keeping everything in view,
it will be prudent for the U.S to increase its offensive capability in the region.