China is...
Accelerating their ‘long game’...
TOKYO — The top U.S. admiral on Monday called China’s shipbuilding capability “impressive” as Beijing moves ahead with a rapid buildup of the world’s largest navy, and said America’s cooperation with Asian allies South Korea and Japan is essential for its own shipbuilding capability.
“How they utilize those aircraft carriers globally is, of course, a concern of mine,” Adm. Daryl Caudle said in Japan, part of his 10-day tour of the Asia-Pacific.
“We watch that very closely and see what they’re going to do there,” Caudle said of the amphibious assault ship. “That’s a large ship, very capable.”
Full article, HERE from Defense News.
ADM Caudle knows what he is looking at, having been both COMSUBRON 3 (Pearl Harbor) and COMSUBRON 11 (Point Loma), and the Chief of Staff and later Commander, Submarine Force Pacific. While that was submarine specific operations, the need to be ‘aware’ of bigger picture.
Plus years of experience in the Pacific theater makes him the right man in the right place at the right time.
Now the question is, will he get the support he needs from Congress? I have no idea...
Sigh...
If history is any indicator, Congress will do what it sees best, which is usually what is best for Congress and not the American people. 🤷♂️ The years prior to WW2 come to mind whenever I consider what the Congress and the Administrations of the past 30 years have done for defense. Also coming to mind, are the words shortsighted and painfully stupid, which is nothing new for human history.
I expect that the cost of lives and treasure for the next peer to peer war will be horrendous. 😞
If the new Chinses aircraft carriers are as well designed and constructed as some of their bridges, we shouldn't have alot to worry about.