Top Space Force official says China is developing space capabilities at ‘twice the rate’ of the US
David Thompson, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Space Operations, said China is moving “twice as fast” and could exceed US space capacity by 2030.
David Thompson, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of Space Operations, said: China It is moving “twice as fast” as the United States in capacity building in space.
“In essence, the fact that they are building, fielding, and updating space features twice as fast on average, unless we start accelerating development and delivery capabilities. Means to surpass us soon, Thompson said at the Reagan Defense Forum on Saturday.
“2030 is not an unreasonable estimate of when China can surpass the United States in space capacity,” he added.
CNNChristine Fisher moderated a panel that included Thompson on Saturday.Democratic Party Representative Jim Cooper TennesseeChairs the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, which helps oversee the Space Force’s budget. Chris Kubasik, President and CEO of L3 Harris Technologies, a defense industry contractor, develops space and airborne systems.
At a weekend forum, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned that China could collect 1,000 nuclear warheads in its arsenal by the end of the decade.
“We have seen 20 years of breakthrough modernization by the PLA,” he said in a keynote speech when referring to the Chinese military. “And China’s army is moving at a pace to compete with the United States in Asia and ultimately around the world.”
But he also downplayed the possibility of a new Cold War and emphasized diplomacy and deterrence as a US strategy to compete with growing economies.
Pentagon chiefs devoted much of his nearly hour-long appearance at the Reagan Forum to discussing “increasingly assertive and dictatorial” China’s efforts to overturn US dominance in the world order. bottom.
In addition to increasing nuclear weapons, Austin said China is making rapid progress in outer space and cyberspace.
“Now we always value intent and action as well as ability,” Austin said.
“And the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party have been speaking out more and more about their dissatisfaction with the dominant order and their purpose to drive America out of its global leadership role.”
Austin outlined America’s plans to deal with “increasingly assertive and dictatorial” China on Saturday
Austin accused Beijing of “abusing technology to advance oppressive agendas domestically and export dictatorship tools abroad.”
World defense experts warn against China’s and Russia’s military expansion at a rate not seen since the end of World War II, urging speculation that the world is in the early stages of a new Cold War. bottom.
But on Saturday, Austin claimed that the United States was trying to address these new challenges while avoiding conflicts that could have a devastating spillover effect on millions of people.
“We don’t want conflicts or conflicts, and as President Biden repeatedly revealed,” we don’t want a new Cold War or a world divided into solid blocks, “Austin said. rice field.
“Yes, we are facing formidable challenges. But America is not a country that fears competition. And we will meet and solve this with confidence-not panic or pessimism. . “
Instead, he said the US approach was one of the deterrents, “preventing conflict and establishing common sense guardrails.”
“We are always ready to win the conflict, but American defense is always rooted in our determination to prevent conflict,” he said.
PLA armored assault vehicles will fire smoke bombs on November 30, 2021 to test new weapons. Austin said China is building up its army at an astonishing pace.
“So we are actively seeking open communication with Chinese defense leaders, especially in times of crisis. And between both our diplomats and the military, we take risks. We are taking measures to reduce the number and prevent miscalculations.
He also did not want the United States to build a NATO-style alliance with China, trying to assure Beijing that it would not let the country choose an ally.
China does not keep its global ambitions a secret. President Xi Jinping has vowed that his country will be able to “fight and win” the war with the United States by 2049.
Austin says China is “the only country that can combine its economic, diplomatic, military and technological capabilities to initiate a sustainable challenge to a stable and open international system.” Quoted President Joe Biden’s warning.
China’s President Xi Jinping has set a goal of being able to “fight and win” the war with the United States by 2049.
Recently released satellite images reveal that the country is building hundreds of new silos that can be used for nuclear weapons.
Beijing, the world’s largest combat force, already with more than 2 million active duty personnel, is also investing in expanding its arsenal of non-nuclear weapons, including fighters and other military equipment.
It also expanded its military presence in the South China Sea and alerted US allies in the region.
Austin has vowed to strengthen its US commitment to these countries, especially by strengthening military exercises with Japan and South Korea.
He also has a new agreement between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom to share submarine technology to increase US influence in the Indo-Pacific, and an informal alliance between the United States, India, Japan and Australia called India. Cited many defense pacts, including. Pacific Quad.
“We are based on the lessons learned in uniforms for over 40 years. Whether in war or peace, we are always stronger when working with friends,” Austin said.
As part of a campaign to expand its attacks on Taiwan, China has flown 27 military aircraft across the airspace of a small island in recent weeks.
Just days after Chinese troops conducted a “battle-ready” patrol into the Taiwan Strait as a delegation of the U.S. Parliament suddenly visited Taipei to support China’s alleged democratically governed island. was.
But on Saturday Austin downplayed the possibility of a real intrusion.
“I don’t want to guess, but certainly … it’s a lot like a rehearsal,” he said.
He also emphasized that the United States is acting on one long-standing one-China policy that only recognizes the Beijing government as legitimate, not the Taipei government.
But he added that the United States is committed to “the ability to protect itself while maintaining our ability to resist means of force that would threaten the security of Taiwanese people.”
“Currently, we are working to strengthen deterrence and do not want to change the status quo.”
Biden and Xi attended the Virtual Summit in November to discuss the need for open communication and the growing problem in Taiwan.
Towards the beginning of their meeting, Biden told Xi, “We are responsible for the world and our people.”
“That’s why we believe-and you and I talked about this-all nations must play according to the same road rules, why the United States is always in our interests and values, And do you stand up for the benefit and values of our allies? Partners, “Biden said.
“If the past was a prologue, I am confident that today we will be discussing areas of concern: human rights, the economy, and securing a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Top Space Force official says China is developing space capabilities at ‘twice the rate’ of the US Source link Top Space Force official says China is developing space capabilities at ‘twice the rate’ of the US
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