The US military is losing its edge in the Indo-Pacific as China rapidly expands its military in ways that suggest it is preparing for aggressive action, the top American commander in the region has warned.
Admiral Philip Davidson, head of Indo-Pacific command, said the military balance in the region was “become more unfavourable” to the US, raising the risk that China would take military action because of declining deterrence.
“We are accumulating risk that may embolden China to unilaterally change the status quo before our forces may be able to deliver an effective response,” Davidson told the Senate armed services committee during a hearing on Tuesday.
China last week said that it would increase its defence budget by 6.8 per cent this year. Davidson said China was rapidly expanding its navy and was expected to be able to deploy three aircraft carriers by 2025.