Following the end of the World War II, US military superiority was based on three major foundations, strategic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities (ISR); the ability to project power globally; and an overwhelming dominant technological advantage across a spectrum of conflict, Trey Obering the former director of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said, reports US magazine The National Interest.
According to Obering, China is now challenging all three of these major foundations of American rule.
China has demonstrated great capability in terms of military technology in the past few years. Following its aptitude to destroy low, earth-orbiting satellites with its anti-satellite missile test in 2007, Beijing is already developing technology to reach even higher orbits in order to target more space assets.
China confirmed that it had successfully tested its Wu-14 hypersonic vehicle – which can travel at ten times the speed of sound.
“With characteristics of both very high speed and maneuverability, this would be a formidable challenge to any air and missile defense system,” Obering said, wrote The National Interest.
All these technological advancements on behalf of China are resulting in concern for the US. Obering said Washington should take a dramatically revised approach as to how it develops and fields missile defense capabilities.
Obering did not rule out that China may be trying to defend its own interest. Although he noted that capabilities, not intentions are the main focus and China is clearly exceeding all expectations in terms of advanced technological developments.
