1,300 Chinese ballistic missiles… U.S. bases in Guam are also within range.
In the event of a war, large-scale destruction of US military bases is expected.
Increased responsiveness by distributing bases… Concerns about breaking each other
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 1st (local time) that the United States is pursuing the dispersal of US military bases in the Asia-Pacific region to counter potential missile threats from China.
Referring to the US military training held at a small civilian airport on the northern border of the Philippines, the WSJ introduced, “This is one of the US military’s outposts in the Asia-Pacific region that are significantly increasing in response to China’s growing military challenges.”
“It is part of a shift away from over-reliance on the large military bases that have been key to US military presence in Asia for decades,” it said.
According to a Pentagon investigation cited by the media, China currently possesses more than 1,300 ballistic missiles capable of targeting the Asia-Pacific region. Of these, more than 250 can fly up to 3,000 miles from mainland China, and are said to include the U.S. base located in Guam.
In particular, China is said to have developed a hypersonic missile that does not follow a predictable flight path, making it difficult to shoot down a missile defense system.
There are also observations that if war breaks out, China will start by destroying major US military bases in the Asia-Pacific region.
In a recent war simulation conducted by American security experts on Taiwan, it was predicted that China would destroy Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, in the early stages of the war. It is known that Kadena Air Base, the largest in Asia, is equipped with equipment such as fighter jets worth 4 billion dollars.
There is also a call for stronger shelters to be built in US politics, and Air Force leaders are said to prioritize dispersing air bases from large bases to smaller facilities.
“As part of the change, the Air Force is creating small teams of personnel that can quickly convert runways on remote islands into temporary military installations,” the WP reported.
It is expected that if the number of small military bases increases, it will be possible to respond quickly by deploying troops in the right place, but concerns are raised that such a strategy could make the military vulnerable. The purpose is that the dispersed bases can be destroyed individually by missiles.
However, the WP reported that US military officials are in the position that there is no other option because the risk that can arise from the current concentration of troops is too great.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.