The United States announced that the country is currently working on developing new types of weapons in preparation to combat China’s “pacing challenge.”
According to the reports, the US decided to work on the weapons to help keep pace with China’s military development.
The development is also reportedly meant to deter a potential invasion of Taiwan.
Amid the escalating tension between China and Taiwan, the US military officials have been warning about China being the main “pacing challenge” for development and engagement which means Beijing is a competitor that makes a significant development toward challenging U.S. defense strategy.
Reports revealed that the Navy has recently identified water-born drones as an “affordable but effective means of delaying that challenge.”
In fact, the US has already deployed smaller drones in the waters off the Middle East while four of the largest drones will be reportedly used in a multinational naval exercise in the Pacific Ocean this summer.
In a report released by Fox News, it was revealed that the “drones would allow the Navy to maintain fleet size in comparison to China’s own growing fleet while hitting three targets: weapons range, scouting, and command and control. The technology also would avoid costly mistakes that have arisen with traditional ships in recent years.”
The decision comes after the authorities have found propulsion problems and issues with the launch system on several combat ships and aircraft carriers following the deployment, which led to early retirement.
In addition, the ammo for a stealth destroyer’s “Advanced Gun System” was also proved to be too costly to maintain.
Following the US Military officials’ announcements, critics blasted the decision, arguing that “the Navy rushed to add too much new technology to its vessels.” Fox News reported.
However, in a statement released by Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, he argued that it’s a matter of “moving the technology forward and having confidence in the capability.”
But retired Navy officer Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., also urged caution in “just throwing all the resources at (robotic ships)” after years of failed ship programs after the Navy announced its budget for the new fiscal year includes $433 million for “crewless surface vessels.”
Luria argued that “the technology is just not mature enough to make wholesale investment.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and chair of the sea power subcommittee, also argued that she had “assurances that the Navy is conscious of not moving too quickly with unproven technology.”
“The Navy must get this right the first time and support rigorous testing with prototypes before committing to buying a fleet,” she said.
