By Robert Farley
The United States shouldn’t rush into arming its allies with anti-access/area denial technologies.
Representative Randy Forbes of Virginia has set the naval world alight with a pair of letters on U.S. naval and security policy in the Pacific. The first letter, addressed to Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert, called for the development of a new maritime strategic posture. The second, addressed to Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno, argued that the United States Army should pursue the development of an anti-access system of systems to counter Chinese technology in the Western Pacific.
The most interesting part of the latter argument may be the suggestion that the United States facilitate the spread of anti-access systems to regional states. The United States has already determined to step up arms sales to Vietnam, and has long had a strong defense relationship with the Philippines, not to mention Japan and South Korea. Vietnam in particular has developed the foundation of an anti-access system, and has pursued the possibility of purchasing advanced BrahMos cruise missiles from India.
The idea of supplying the various regional states that have territorial disputes with China has a great deal of appeal. A China that fears the military capabilities of its neighbors is easier to deter, especially as the commitments of these neighbors are more credible than that of the United States. The potential for an integrated system is even more interesting, giving the United States and its allies a major geographical advantage over China.
But there are problems.
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