US Admiral: China Can Be Defeated, But Edge Is Shrinking

India-West News Desk
WASHINGTON, DC – Admiral Samuel Paparo, the US Indo-Pacific Commander, expressed confidence in the US military’s ability to defeat China in the Pacific but warned that the US technical advantage is rapidly eroding. Speaking at the Reagan Defense Forum, Paparo emphasized the urgent need to maintain the US’s edge, particularly in missile technology and secure communications systems capable of withstanding cyber-attacks, according to The Washington Post.
Paparo highlighted the economic challenges of advanced weapons, pointing out that while the US can strike long-distance and complex targets with its cruise missile systems, each launch costs over USD 1 million. In contrast, he noted, drones offer a more cost-effective solution, being relatively inexpensive to build and capable of frontline operations through remote control.
The Admiral also touched upon the growing threats posed by other adversaries. As per The Washington Post, he revealed that Russia and North Korea had reached an agreement involving Moscow supplying fourth-generation Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets in exchange for North Korea deploying troops to aid Russia in the war against Ukraine.
However, Paparo clarified that it was Pyongyang, not Moscow, that proposed sending North Korean troops to Ukraine. In return, North Korea aimed to acquire advanced technologies, including ballistic missile re-entry systems and submarine-related expertise from Russia, as reported by the Taipei Times.
On October 31, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that reached an altitude of 7,000 km, Paparo noted. Despite these advancements, he explained, North Korea has yet to master the complex task of developing re-entry vehicles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Such vehicles must withstand intense atmospheric resistance and heating when returning from space at speeds of 7 km per second. This gap in capability might explain the country’s continued missile testing efforts.
Regarding China, Paparo cited President Xi Jinping’s directive for Chinese military leaders to prepare for the possibility of taking Taiwan by 2027, even in the face of potential US involvement. However, he clarified that this does not necessarily indicate a decision to attack Taiwan in 2027 or any specific year.