Pentagon needs to become more nimble to counter China threat, US lawmakers are told

Experts issue warnings about the Chinese military build-up in the western Pacific and about expanded ties between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea

President Xi Jinping is counting on technological innovation to counter China’s many economic headwinds, says US director of national intelligence

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US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testifies on Tuesday at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats to American security. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:49am, 13 Mar 2024Updated: 6:58am, 13 Mar 2024

The US Defence Department has a big budget, lots of fancy equipment and impressive capabilities, but if it does not drastically increase its ability to incorporate technology, make decisions faster and spend in the right places, it will lose any future war with China, witnesses at two congressional committees testified on Tuesday.

The warnings came as Republicans and Democrats engage in fierce partisan bickering over defence, intelligence and social welfare budgets, amounts and priorities, even as China announced last week a 7.2 per cent increase in defence spending, prioritising the People’s Liberation Army over other sectors.

“This contest to rapidly adopt commercial technologies is an all too level playing field with our competitors. China also has access to world-class technology companies and the PLA is working to [upgrade] its forces” both technologically and organisationally, said Paul Scharre, executive vice-president of the Centre for a New American Security, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Pentagon “cannot lead in 21st century technologies with a 20th century bureaucracy”, he added.

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On the other side of the Capitol building, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the House Select Intelligence Committee that President Xi Jinping is counting on technological innovation to counter China’s many economic headwinds even as it struggles with high youth unemployment, slowing growth and a property crisis.

Pentagon needs to become more nimble to counter China threat, US lawmakers are told

Experts issue warnings about the Chinese military build-up in the western Pacific and about expanded ties between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea President Xi Jinping is counting on technological innovation to counter China’s many economic headwinds, says US director of national intelligence

Experts issue warnings about the Chinese military build-up in the western Pacific and about expanded ties between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea

President Xi Jinping is counting on technological innovation to counter China’s many economic headwinds, says US director of national intelligence