US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall warned that China is strengthening its military to prepare for a possible clash with the United States and urged readiness for such a scenario. The report highlights this priority as a central topic.
He stated that China has been building capabilities for more than two decades to prevail over the United States in the Western Pacific.
The secretary cautioned that a war could erupt if American forces are not prepared to counter what he described as Chinese aggression toward Taiwan, among other potential flashpoints.
Kendall affirmed that it is the obligation of the American government to prevent conflicts when possible and to be ready to prevail if tensions escalate. He stressed that changes in the aerospace forces are essential, arguing that the country cannot deter or win a conflict without modernization and capacity improvements.
He added that China is advancing rapidly in two strategic military domains: enhancing capabilities to counter aircraft carriers and strike airfields, and modernizing support networks to achieve information dominance in space and cyberspace.
The secretary noted that Moscow and Beijing are likely to respond to Western moves perceived as attempts to undermine the security architecture of the Asia-Pacific region.
Earlier, questions were raised in the United States about the firmness of Russia’s red lines.