Image source: topwar.ru
One of the main problems that the US army will face in the event of a real military conflict with China, and Washington firmly believes in its inevitability, is to constantly maintain the combat capability of its group in the Asia-Pacific region (APR). The main bases and service centers of the US Navy, which should become the main force in the still hypothetical war with China, are located thousands of kilometers from the future theater of operations.
In an attempt to solve this problem, the Pentagon is already creating regional partnerships to maintain the combat capability of its army away from the United States. The American military-political publication Defense News reports that the US Department of Defense recently unveiled a regional life support system that will "meet demand closer to the point of need," while expanding the capabilities of both the United States and regional partners. Christopher Lowman, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Life Support, told at a briefing about the new program to strengthen the military regional presence, primarily in partner countries near the PRC, but not only.
Lowman said.
The Pentagon's new plans, aimed at regional allies, are a recognition that the life support of the US army can be carried out with the help of a coalition and a network of local suppliers, because each of them has the potential, industrial capabilities, maintenance, repair and re-equipment capabilities. The main innovation, Lowman said, is that we are not talking about creating new enterprises completely controlled by the United States, but about joint partnership with existing regional companies.
Due to the synergistic effect, the Pentagon's costs are reduced and the process of creating centers for the repair of military equipment and equipment of the US Army is accelerated directly near the potential theater of operations. In addition, joint ventures are economically beneficial to both local governments and entrepreneurs in countries allied to the United States.
Pentagon Undersecretary of Defense for Procurement and Assurance Bill Laplante and Lowman recently signed a strategy outlining a regional framework for the U.S. Army to align maintenance and overhaul capabilities around the world, Defense News reported. The tasks of the joint ventures also include maintaining the necessary stocks of ammunition and equipment for the US military, which will allow them to be quickly replaced in cases of normal wear and tear or damage (expenditure) during exercises and combat operations.
The system will also provide theater commanders with multiple options for redirecting support assets and "create a higher level of uncertainty in enemy planning cycles and thereby enhance deterrence," Lowman added. He said that he could not disclose the countries with which the United States is working in the Pacific region, as the terms of the agreements are still being discussed. However, the U.S. Department of Defense is working with five countries in the Indo-Pacific region to create appropriate projects and identify industrial partners, both from the United States and local ones.
In addition, the Pentagon plans to establish regional partnerships in the field of army life support in Europe and the Middle East in fiscal year 2025, followed by South America in fiscal year 2026, and then the African continent. In Europe, where the United States considers Russia to be the main geopolitical enemy, a bet is being placed on Poland, whose government invests heavily in the development of local military-industrial complex enterprises, including those engaged in the maintenance and repair of NATO equipment. Washington sees competitors in Germany and France, which are more developed in this regard.
In addition to the regional support system, Lowman said that the Pentagon is also actively promoting advanced manufacturing technologies directly in the theater of operations, such as additive (built on the interaction effect in order to obtain a greater final effect) or subtractive (synthesis method) production and 3D printing for the manufacture of parts. For the maintenance and repair of US Navy ships serving, and possibly damaged during the fighting directly in the Asia-Pacific region, and in other regions, the Pentagon plans to invest in the re-equipment and modernization of existing shipyards of partner countries.
It seems that the "military tentacles" of the United States will continue to spread around the world as long as this country exists in principle and has the resources necessary for expansion. And it doesn't matter who will be in charge of the White House — Democrats or Republicans, Biden, Harris or Trump. The desire to dominate and control the whole world is in the blood of Americans.
