Thread by @AndrewSErickson

#US #TriService #MARITIME #STRATEGY!

Focus on #China & #Russia = 2 most significant geopol threats to global peace & prosperity—

Clear stakes:

"China has implemented a strategy & revisionist approach that aims at the heart of the US’ #maritime power."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"... our three #Sea Services have watched with alarm the growing #naval #power of the People’s Republic of #China & the increasingly aggressive behavior of the Russian Federation.

Our globally deployed naval forces interact w/ #Chinese & #Russian #warships & #aircraft daily."

"We witness firsthand their increasing sophistication and growing aggressiveness. ... The People’s Republic of #China represents the most pressing, long-term strategic threat."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"America’s Naval Service defends our Nation by preserving freedom of the seas, deterring aggression & winning wars. ...

However, #China’s behavior & accelerated military growth place it on a trajectory that will challenge our ability to continue to do so."

Need #AdvantageAtSea

"America’s Naval Service defends our Nation by preserving freedom of the seas, deterring aggression & winning wars. ...

However, #China’s behavior & accelerated military growth place it on a trajectory that will challenge our ability to continue to do so."

Need #AdvantageAtSea

"We are at an inflection point. ...

Our actions in this decade will shape the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"We prioritize #competition with #China due to its growing economic and military strength, increasing aggressiveness, and demonstrated intent to dominate its regional waters and remake the international order in its favor."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"The stakes of this competition are high. China’s aggressive actions are undermining the international rules-based order, while its growing military capacity and capabilities are eroding U.S. military advantages at an alarming rate."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"China..seeks to corrode international maritime governance, deny access to traditional logistical hubs, inhibit freedom of the seas, control use of key chokepoints, deter our engagement in regional disputes & displace the US as the preferred partner in countries around the world"

"To enable its strategy, China deploys a multilayered fleet that includes the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the China #CoastGuard & the People’s Armed Forces #MaritimeMilitia—naval auxiliaries disguised as civilian vessels—to subvert other nations’ sov & enforce unlawful claims"

The #PRC "continues to #militarize disputed features in the #SouthChinaSea & assert #maritime claims inconsistent with international #law. Its state-subsidized distant-water #fishing fleet steals vital #resources from nations unable to defend their own exclusive #economic zones."

"To support its multilayered fleet, China is also developing the world’s largest missile force, with nuclear capabilities, which is designed to strike US & allied forces in Guam & in the Far East w/ everything from ballistic missiles to maneuverable cruise & hypersonic missiles."

"Further, #China has centralized its robust strategic, #space, #cyber, #electronic, and psychological #warfare capabilities.

With #naval forces as the #cornerstone of its efforts, China is aggressively growing and modernizing its #military."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"Already commanding the #world’s #largest #naval force, the #PRC is building modern surface combatants, #submarines, #AircraftCarriers, fighter jets, amphibious assault ships, ballistic nuclear missile submarines, large #CoastGuard cutters, & polar icebreakers at alarming speed."

"China’s #navy battle force has more than tripled in size in only 2 decades."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

#BigNews:

In the attached photo, U.S. Office of #Naval #Intelligence provides the first public estimates of #China #MaritimeMilitia #ship #numbers that I've seen!

#CheckItOut

PRC #SeaForces "rapid growth is enabled by a robust #shipbuilding infrastructure, including multiple #shipyards that exceed those in the US in both size & throughput.
In conflict, excess #PRC #industrial capacity, including addit'l commercial shipyards..."
media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"...could quickly be turned toward #military production & repair, further increasing #China’s ability to generate new military forces."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

READ MORE ANALYSIS ON #PRC #NAVAL & #COMMERCIAL #SHIPBUILDING HERE:

amazon.com/Chinese-Naval-…

andrewerickson.com/2016/09/chines…

"Whereas @USNavy forces are globally dispersed, supporting US interests & deterring aggression from multiple threats, #China’s numerically larger forces are primarily concentrated in the #WesternPacific"
media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

#NumbersMatter

#READMORE @ ANDREWERICKSON.COM

"In the event of conflict, #China & #Russia will likely attempt to #seize #territory before the US & its allies can mount an effective response—leading to a fait accompli.

Each supports this approach through investments in #CounterIntervention networks."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

#DoD: "Each seeks to shift the burden of escalation by reinforcing annexed territory with #LongRange #PrecisionStrike weapons & make a military response to an invasion seem disproportionately costly."

Watch me explain @SOAS_CI @SOAS seminar via #YouTube:

"#China’s & #Russia’s #aggressive #naval #growth & modernization are eroding US #military advantages.

Unchecked, these #trends will leave the Naval Service unprepared to ensure our advantage at #sea & protect #national #interests within the next decade."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"#EveryDay, the Naval Service operates on the front lines of global competition, interacting with #China’s and #Russia’s forces in #every #domain."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

#MustFocus

#TopPriority:

"#Competition with the #PRC over other challengers.

#China is the only rival with the combined economic & military potential to present a long-term, comprehensive challenge to the United States."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

Exactly!

"#Naval Service operations & force posture will #focus on countering #PRC #malign #behavior globally and #strengthening regional #deterrence in the #IndoPacific region."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

That's the key to regaining & sustaining #AdvantageAtSea!

"To reverse the erosion of U.S. military advantages from #China’s and #Russia’s #aggressive #naval #growth and modernization, the @USNavy, @USMC, & @USCG, will develop integrated all-domain #naval forces...."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

"#China’s & #Russia’s coercive actions, their attempts to undermine our alliances & partnerships & their aggressive military moderniz'n efforts pose an undeniable threat to global security & prosperity."

media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/17/20…

#AdvantageAtSea>>#FullSpeedAhead—No time to waste!