US military leaders and officials say these weapons could make a war in the Indo-Pacific devastating for American forces.
China’s missiles haven’t been tested in combat, but the threat is real.
It also encourages maintaining an element of surprise before dealing significant damage to its foes.
The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force gives it such an option.
There’s a lot more to the Chinese Rocket Force than these weapons, though.
And outside the Rocket Force, Chinesesubmarinescarry long-range missiles.
Its H-6 bombers can do the same.
Any confrontation with China must account for the likelihood that many of its nuclear forces would survive direct strikes.
China has also conducted tests at sea, at least one against a moving target.
And China doesn’t have to sink a ship to score a combat kill.
Damaged vessels would have to limp back home, where US repair and maintenancewoescould mean a slow recovery.
And the jets might not even be able to reach their targets.
And in Guam, the Army hasfast-trackeda new project and office for the island’s defenses.
But experts argue that more is needed.
But the disaggregation and dispersal of forces is also important.
Fixed bases are targets that can only brace for an attack, not avoid them.
Beyond defensive measures, the US has various offensive options for combating the Rocket Force.
Difficult-to-detect American submarines can, for instance, fire cruise and ballistic missiles.
But there’s no guarantee deterrence holds.
