“China right now, and I mean to add up the number of countries but it’s somewhere between 6-12 countries, in which China claims territory that is now the sovereign territory of other nations. It is not just Taiwan. Ironically, one of those countries is Russia. It will be interesting to see how they work that out in the future. But China basically wants to bully their way across the globe without any respect for any rules. We need to work with all of those countries in the world who understand what a threat that is. Not just US interests, but global interests.
On our specific efforts, I know Admiral Aquilino has submitted an unfunded requirements list that has talked about some of the other capabilities he needs. But from our witnesses I’d be really interested to hear the capabilities that we most need to build up to make sure the US is best playing its role. But also linking those capabilities to what our partners can potentially bring to that deterrent capability as well.”
- Ranking Member Congressman Adam Smith, Washington’s 9th District
“Guam is the number one priority”
Admiral John Aquilino, Commander US INDOPACOM
“Admiral Aquilino, when you appeared before this committee last year, I said that accelerating the development of our offensive and defensive hypersonic capabilities was a top priority. My colleagues agreed and Congress mandated we field a defensive capability by 2029. Last year the director of the MDA Vice Admiral Hill testified that pushing the fielding of the glide phase interceptor into the 2030s does not meet the threat.”
- Congressman Doug Lamborn, Colorado’s 5th District
“From the INDOPACOM position, I have articulated the requirement which has been consistent for five years. Which is a 360 degree integrated air and missile defense capability for Guam that would protect our citizens and the forces that we need. And that includes ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats. So, the requirement has remained consistent, the ask has been articulated in my last three reports and the two reports that ADM Davidson submitted before me. This gets to my testimony, which is that we must go faster. And I’ve articulated that must be in place by 2027.”
- Admiral John Aquilino, Commander US INDOPACOM
“Ok, I like that, 2027. Because I’m concerned because not only did the MDA recommend ending the SM-3 Block 1 program but also delaying the Glide Phase interceptor until 2035. That’s not responsive to the needs of INDOPACOM is it?”
- Congressman Doug Lamborn, Colorado’s 5th District
“Again sir, I’m just the guy who articulates the requirements. And those have been said very clearly and consistently. This goes to the fact that we all need to go faster.”
- Admiral John Aquilino, Commander US INDOPACOM
