Era of U.S. dominance in the Pacific comes to an end

A few days ago in the United States hosted a meeting of the Association of the surface fleet. At this event, among other speakers made by the head of the Pacific Command of the U.S. Armed Forces, Admiral Sam Locklear. He spoke about some of the trends of development in the geopolitical situation in the Pacific, and also noted their negative consequences.



The main theme of the report of Admiral Locklear was the prospects of U.S. troops in the Pacific. Commander admitted that recent events in the region have led to a gradual reduction of the U.S. military superiority in the region. Era when naval and air forces of the United States full control of the Pacific Ocean, with no competitors coming to an end. In the region there are new powerful states with their own interests.

The main reason for the decline of American supremacy Admiral Locklear said the development of China's armed forces. China is actively modernizing its navy, as intends to consolidate its status as a regional leader. China's development and the reduction of defense spending in the United States in the future will lead to a major change in the balance of forces in the Pacific.

Head Pacific Command expressed some concerns about the current conditions persist. To avoid major changes in the balance of forces the United States should resume work on a number of promising directions. In particular, it is necessary to continue the development of new anti-tank guided missiles.

Another way to preserve the balance of power in the Pacific could be a redistribution of U.S. Navy ships, taking into account existing and future threats. The Pentagon is already engaged in a gradual transfer of the ships of the Pacific Ocean. As a result, the current plans for the implementation of the Pacific bases will serve more than half of the available warships. However, such a strategy has obvious disadvantages. Due to limited financial possibilities Pacific naval group will supplement the expense of other compounds that lead to the weakening of the latter.

C. Locklear calling for a new development plans and strategies, which will reflect the new risks and threats. Need to consider different scenarios, including those in which the U.S. does not have a big advantage over potential adversaries. Note that in this century may be new regions in which the armed forces of the United States will lose unconditional leadership.

On the possibilities of the Pacific group of U.S. forces affected local wars of recent times. Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps of the United States in the last few decades fought at a great distance from the Pacific Ocean, which led to increased army in some directions and weakening others. Given current trends, it is necessary once again to devote sufficient attention to the troops in the zone of responsibility of which is the Pacific.

An important topic in the context of the balance of forces in the Pacific is also new weapons. Not so long ago, the Pentagon reported that Chinese trials promising hypersonic shock system. By some estimates, this weapon is capable of climbing and missile defense naval forces, and therefore represents a great danger, including for American ships.

The pace of development of the Chinese armed forces and the lack of attention to their own troops from the leadership of the U.S. forces S. Locklear worry. To maintain its leadership should not only increase the number of ships or aircraft, but also to create new technology or weapons. Without modern equipment, high performance U.S. will not be able to keep a dominant position in any region.

Admiral Locklear said that China is not the only threat to the United States in the Pacific. Another serious problem to be considered North Korea. This state has a very complicated relationship with almost all its neighbors, because of what the military-political situation on the Korean peninsula is extremely tense. The presence of the DPRK nuclear weapons and delivery systems further complicates the problem. Unpredictable Pyongyang's actions could lead to armed conflict that affect the entire Pacific region.

The internal problems of the United States in conjunction with those of other states can lead to a noticeable change in the balance of power in some regions. Growth rate of Chinese military power directly say that in the first place, this balance will change in the Pacific. In the future, perhaps the repetition of similar events in other parts of the world. This means that the United States, if they want to maintain a dominant position in key regions, or at least not lose the basic position in the near future will have to undertake the development of new strategies.

Sumber; navytimes.com.