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RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
NZ soldiers leave for Southern Hemisphere's leading military exercise
File photo. New Zealand Defence Force personnel and vehicles in 2023. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone New Zealand soldiers are leaving for the Southern Hemisphere's leading military exercise, the first since the government announced ramped up defence spending. The 35,000-strong exercise Talisman Sabre is a bilateral Australia and US military exercise with 17 other nations taking part. The Defence Force is sending about 700 personnel to northern Australia. Ahead of new defence funding the NZDF is taking some light armoured vehicles over 20 years old, which are likely vulnerable to the latest killer drones. Meanwhile, the Australians will be field-testing an uncrewed machine-gun double-track, and the Americans will be shooting precision missiles and deploying space-age data networks. Talisman Sabre aligns with US efforts to build a vast network of sensors and shooters across the Indo-Pacific, called Combined Joint All-Domain Command-and-Control (CJADC2). The Defence Force said a key goal is to be able to integrate its capabilities into Australian and US command relationships. The objective was to prepare, project and exercise NZDF capabilities integrated into the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and INDOPACOM - America's largest military command in the Indo-Pacific. That included command and control (C2) elements. INDOPACOM has recently deployed precision missiles that can be fired from land against naval targets, in the Philippines near a strategic chokepoint south of Taiwan. Talisman Sabre has become a testing ground for new missiles and drones. Australia is poised to co-produce missiles for the US, and Defence Minister Judith Collins has said New Zealand would get missiles, though Budget 2025 had no funding for that. Defence consultant and NZDF veteran Josh Wineera said Talisman Sabre was uniquely large Down Under and allowed the partners real-world "benchmarking of tactics and capabilities". "It will be really interesting to see whether the capabilities intended to be purchased still fit neatly into what the Australians are doing because that's what the Defence Capability Plan is about," he said. However, the partner countries were confronted with US networking goals aiming to step up warfighting to "fibreoptic" speed. "Because of this being automated, and it's in the information space where decisions and sensors are acting so quickly, this will be a real challenge, I think, for those decision-making levels to make sure that sovereignty is not being compromised," said Wineera. File photo. New Zealand Defence Force Bushmaster vehicles. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The first 150 New Zealand military personnel leave on Thursday for the exercise which rins from 13 July to 4 August. They are taking several new Bushmasters, but also some Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) that in 2003 were given a 25-year lifespan, and were yet to be revived under the $12 billion defence capability plan with new turrets and networked comms. The military exercise is also drawing in AI companies, such as Virginia's billion-dollar that said it was going along to "help military forces act faster by updating AI models in real-time, improving coordination between sensors and shooters". The Australian military said the exercise was to build combined joint warfighting capabilities. At Talisman 2023, the Australians tested their field drone, ironically called an armoured "personnel" carrier, the M113AS4. The carrier runs autonomously but requires a human to aim and shoot its gun. It is expected to feature again this time in experiments majoring in human-machine-integration, or HMI as the Pentagon has dubbed it. All sorts of drones, but especially aerial ones, have dominated Ukraine's war with Russia since 2022. The exercise in northern Australia is the biggest ever, and the stakes are higher than ever, too. The Pentagon states that Talisman "reflects US, allies' commitment to Indo-Pacific". This is at a time when the Trump Administration's relations with Europe's NATO members are under huge strain, and US commanders have repeatedly stressed fears of a growing conventional and nuclear threat from China. America sees itself in a race to bring advanced technology, and its allies, on board its evolving battlefield network, though even before Trump began his second term, some lawmakers expressed concern the Pentagon had bitten off more than it can chew with the scale of CJADC2. "We seek to network our efforts across domains, theatres, and the spectrum of conflict to ensure that the US military, in close cooperation with the rest of the US government and our Allies and partners, makes the folly and costs of aggression very clear," Joe Biden's Deputy Secretary of Defence Dr Kathleen Hicks in 2022 . Joint exercises like Talisman Sabre tap into US$2 billion annual funding from within US$17 billion 'Pacific Deterrence Initiative'. The NZDF is already active in two cornerstone Combined Joint All-Domain Command-and-Control (CJADC2) efforts - the US Army's Project Convergence Capstone, and the US Navy's Project Overmatch, which NZ signed on to in February. The government said it was usual to sign on like this, unannounced to the public. Several dozen New Zealand personnel went to Convergence's annual exercise in March in the Mojave Desert, looking to identify "potential experimentation", newly released OIA documents showed. The records mentioned experiments with targeting sensors and electromagnetic warfare, and ensuring NZ Army software could "effectively interface" with partners. Two capability demonstrations had "particular relevance" to NZDF - but these were blanked out. Wineera said Project Convergence and Talisman Sabre gave insight about autonomy of decision-making. "Some of our legal staff need to be thinking about all of that flow that's happening at the same time, to ensure that our New Zealand contribution sticks within what would be our national rules of engagement." The Project Convergence records also showed the NZDF was so strapped for resources there was talk of having to pull out, but that then it would the miss out as it did not have these capabilities itself. The technology at hand includes, for example, Maven, a software system from Palantir that in recent US Army tests was 100 times faster than the most efficient targeting team in the Iraq war. One US unit working with this, known as Shadow Operations Centre, is linked to the NZDF. "We are partnering with Australia and New Zealand Battle Labs to connect" to the Combined Federated Battle Laboratories Network in 2025, Shadow Operations Centre said last year. File photo. A New Zealand Defence Force LAV driving through the bush. Photo: NZDF Resources for more exercises like Talisman Sabre are on their way. Budget 2025 made millions more available for them, alongside millions more for advanced technology or upgrading old tech though there was no mention in it of new turrets for the LAVs. Some amounts were not specified, but $80m over four years was set aside for overseas deployments, $11m for interoperability and $8m for increasing engagement with security partners overseas. "It can be expected that as new capabilities prioritised in the DCP are released in time, these would be incorporated into future iterations of Talisman Sabre as our contribution to this important multinational, multi-domain exercise grows," the NZDF said in a statement. As for taking the LAVS along, "regardless of future programmes the LAVs are still a key combat vehicle for the NZ Army and form a crucial part of the NZ Army's current combat system", it said. Twenty of the LAVs were sold to Chile for just under $1 million each two years ago. A recent online discussion of the LAVs said they had some limited uses but were very vulnerable to the type of drones now common in the Ukraine-Russia war, including one that can hit 110kmh and destroy a tank. Six Bushmasters heading to Talisman Sabre have had their comms upgrade completed, Defence said. The project to upgrade all 43 Bushmasters has been delayed, and Budget 2025 signalled operational savings of $13m from "rephasing" the project.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Satellite Image Shows US Air Power Buildup at Island Base Near Iran
New satellite images showed U.S. forces increasing their air power at an Indian Ocean base that could be a staging point for any attack on Iran, according to an open source intelligence analyst. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) for comment. Ongoing activity at the Diego Garcia airbase, a strategic operating location for both the U.K. and British armies, comes amid tensions with Iran over its nuclear program. Although nuclear talks continue, President Donald Trump has threatened military action if diplomacy fails to produce a new agreement on curbs that could prevent it obtaining nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iran has ramped up its military buildup, threatening U.S. targets in the region in the event of any attack. The U.S. Air Force has recently augmented its aerial refueling capabilities at Diego Garcia, deploying additional KC-135 Stratotankers to the strategic Indian Ocean base, according to satellite imagery shared by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson on X. A recent deployment of F-15 fighter jets adds to a growing U.S. military buildup at Diego Garcia, where four B-52 bombers and a contingent of six B-2 stealth bombers operate. In March, satellite imagery showed the deployment of C-17 cargo planes as well as KC-135 refueling tankers. The remote airbase, over 2,000 miles away from Iran, hosts Space Force operations and is a key port for U.S. Navy vessels, including nuclear submarines, and shelters a Sealift Command Prepositioning Ship Squadron. Tehran has yet to unveil a platform capable of reaching that range, but as a significant missile power, it continues to make strides in expanding long-range capabilities. The status of Diego Garcia has recently been in question and the subject of heated political debate with Britain signing an agreement last week to had sovereignty of the contested Chagos islands - of which it is a part - to Mauritius. Britain says that the agreement will ensure the future of the air and naval base and allow its contimued use by the United States. Commander Matthew Comer, Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson, told Newsweek earlier: "We have multi-layered defense systems on Diego Garcia that ensure the security and protection of our personnel and equipment." Beyond Iran, the continued U.S. buildup at Diego Garcia signals broader power projection with a potential view to threats in the Red Sea, activity by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen and China's growing naval reach in the Indian Ocean. Related Articles Russia Attacks Trump's Golden Dome ProjectIran Unveils Next-Level Warfare Drones Amid Tensions With Show New US Missiles Sent to China's DoorstepIran Threatens Strike on Israel as US Talks Hang in Balance 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Chinese Satellites Capture US Bombers and Jets at Island Air Base
A Chinese commercial satellite company has released an image of U.S. aircraft at the Diego Garcia air base, amid tensions between Washington and Tehran over nuclear negotiations. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) for comment. New satellite imagery has confirmed the U.S. deployment of F-15 fighter jets to Diego Garcia, in addition to an increase in the number of bombers at the Indian Ocean base. Diego Garcia-roughly 2,000 miles from Iran-would serve as the military launchpad in the event of a confrontation escalated by failed nuclear diplomacy. U.S. Air Force jets at the Diego Garcia base were recently captured in a satellite image by MizarVision's Airspace service. The Chinese company bills itself as an AI-driven provider of geo-business intelligence. The image was highlighted by the open-intelligence GEOINT X account. The U.S. and Iran have bolstered military buildups as President Donald Trump threatened Iran with military action if it rejects a new nuclear deal, after unilaterally withdrawing from the 2015 accord in his first term. B-52 bombers arrived at the remote base earlier in May, joining a contingent of six B-2 stealth bombers already deployed there. Disagreement over uranium enrichment remains a key obstacle to reviving diplomacy between the longtime foes. The U.S. says it's concerned about enrichment levels capable of producing nuclear weapons while Iran claims its nuclear program is peaceful. The fidelity of Chinese commercial satellite imagery underscores Beijing's growing ability to monitor U.S. military deployments globally and in near real time, as it weighs support for Tehran's nuclear interests in the face of Western pressure. U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said: "We cannot allow even 1 percent of an enrichment capability…Everything begins from our standpoint with a deal that does not include enrichment." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, according to The Associated Press: "I have said it before, and I repeat it again: uranium enrichment in Iran will continue-with or without an agreement." China's Foreign Ministry said in April: "China appreciates Iran's commitment to not develop nuclear weapons, respects Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and supports Iran in conducting dialogue with all parties, including the United States, and in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests through consultation and negotiation." American and Iranian representatives are scheduled to meet in Rome on Friday for a fifth round of nuclear talks. Related Articles Democratic Rep.: To Safeguard America's Future, We Need To Safeguard Taiwan's | OpinionChina Censors Broadcast After News Anchor's Big MistakeUS Stealth Jet Carrier Patrols Waters Near ChinaHow China's Online Army Helped Beijing Fight US Tariff War 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Epoch Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
From Balikatan to Taiwan: Why Firepower Beats Perfection
Commentary Balikatan 2025—the largest Indo-Pacific exercise in years—sent a clear message: the United States is preparing for a major regional fight. With anti-ship missile strikes, island defense scenarios, and Japanese ground forces participating, it was the most complex iteration yet. But exercises don't win wars. Firepower does. The Pentagon must face a hard truth: victory in the next conflict won't come from flawless, gold-plated systems. It will come from what we can deploy quickly, at scale, and under fire. Ukraine's Lesson: Volume and Speed Win Ukraine is showing the world how high-intensity warfare works in the 21st century. Their battlefield success hasn't come from perfect weapons. It's come from fielding what's ready—drones, loitering munitions, commercial communications tools, and artillery. Not because they're the best. Because they're available. Quantity wins. Mass drone strikes and heavy artillery have been more decisive than boutique precision systems. Speed wins more. The systems that arrived early—regardless of sophistication—changed the fight. Iteration matters. Ukraine's ability to adapt and repurpose tech in real time has saved lives and shifted momentum. While Western procurement measures in years, Ukraine adapts in weeks. That's the pace of modern war. INDOPACOM's Edge Will Come Early—or Not at All The Indo-Pacific is not Ukraine. Distances are longer. Logistics are harder. But the principle holds: the side that delivers effective firepower first will dominate the fight. A Taiwan Strait war wouldn't be measured in months. It would be decided in days. The U.S. won't have time to surge exquisite assets across the Pacific—or build new ones mid-conflict. Related Stories 5/8/2025 3/22/2025 If we're still waiting for 'perfect' systems to arrive, we'll lose the initiative. And possibly the war. Balikatan 2025 rehearsed island defense, long-range fires, and distributed C2. But behind the scenarios is a sobering question: do we have enough munitions, drones, and comms gear to fight for real? Buy What We Can Use Now Defense acquisition must evolve—fast. It's not just about improving the process. It's about buying the right things, at the right speed, and in the right quantity. Ukraine has repurposed commercial drones and Starlink terminals into ISR, targeting, and command tools. They didn't wait for five-year procurement cycles. They found what worked—and fielded it immediately. INDOPACOM should do the same. Especially when the opening days of conflict may define the next decade of global stability. Fix Procurement Before It's Too Late To prepare for a potential fight in the Indo-Pacific, we need to prioritize three things in acquisition: speed, scalability, and survivability. Here's what that looks like: 1. Fund what's fieldable now. Buy off-the-shelf drones, comms, loitering munitions, and ISR tools that can deploy immediately. 2. Build surge capacity before a crisis. Ukraine ran out of munitions fast. We can't. Stockpile and pre-position across the Pacific now. 3. Cut procurement timelines in half. If it takes five years to field, it won't help in Taiwan. Fast-track authorities must become the norm. 4. Empower those at the front. In Ukraine, warfighters influenced what got procured. We should embed their feedback into acquisition decisions. This isn't about throwing out the system—it's about adjusting it to meet the timeline of modern conflict. Balikatan's Warning Shot Exercises like Balikatan matter. They expose where we're falling short. And if we can't deliver munitions, drones, or comms gear quickly in peacetime, how will we do it under fire? Ukraine is already showing the answer: get adaptable systems to the field, in volume, now. The U.S. cannot afford to learn that lesson the hard way in INDOPACOM. Perfection Is a Peacetime Luxury The next war won't be won by the most beautiful system. It'll be won by the one that arrives first, hits hard, and keeps working. We must shift from a procurement mindset built for long-term savings to one optimized for near-term victory. As Balikatan winds down and strategic focus stays fixed on China, we should ask: are we building to win a contract—or to win a war? In the Indo-Pacific, we may only get one chance to get it right. From Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US Commander gives strident warning about China's threat
Almost everywhere one looks, China is ramping up pressure against neighbours and would-be adversaries. This is happening diplomatically, economically and militarily, even as Chairman Xi Jinping rapidly builds up the combat capabilities of the People's Liberation Army ( PLA ) and prepares China for a drawn-out "struggle". Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command ( INDOPACOM ), addressed these concerns in a House Armed Services Committee testimony on 10 April. He warned, "China continues to pursue unprecedented military modernisation and increasingly aggressive behaviour that threatens the US homeland, our allies and our partners." Military threats are just one element in China's toolbox for those who disagree with its imperious perspective. As Paparo explained, "China employs a multifaceted approach combining military pressure, cognitive and cyber operations, and economic coercion." GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Breaks His Silence: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Andrew Erickson, a professor at the US Naval War College, commented on Paparo's credentials: "Nobody outside of China," he related, "has a better view into developments of concern regarding China's armed forces than Admiral Sam Paparo..." He has led INDOPACOM since 3 May 2024, and before that, he was in charge of the Pacific Fleet from 5 May 2021. Erickson said Paparo has had "four years of daily observation of Chinese military developments down to the smallest externally observable detail. His prepared statement and related responses in his Congressional testimony last week show just how much progress he sees, and how serious it is." Live Events Paparo noted: "China is developing and integrating cutting-edge technologies - artificial intelligence, hypersonic and advanced missiles, and space-based capabilities - at an alarming pace. China's anti-access/area denial capabilities are designed to prevent US forces from operating within the First and Second Island Chains. China is outpacing the US in testing not only these critical technologies, but also technologies from across their military industrial base." The American admiral warned of other capabilities such as chemical and biological weapons, a growing nuclear arsenal and expanding maritime projection as all being worthy of "a challenge to regional stability". Furthermore, Xi is accelerating the pressure against Taiwan. As Paparo pointed out, "Beijing's aggressive manoeuvres around Taiwan are not just exercises - they are dress rehearsals for forced unification. The PLA escalated military pressure against Taiwan by 300% in 2024, through activities such as air defence identification zone entries and centerline crossings." The Philippines is another victim of Chinese bullying and aggression. Xi's change of heart towards the Philippines stemmed from the current President Bongbong Marcos' decision to stand up to Chinese encroachment, unlike his pusillanimous predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Chinese actions have become increasingly pernicious in the Yellow Sea as well. A standoff between the Chinese and Korean coast guards occurred on February 26 after Beijing earlier erected a large steel rig in waters separating China and South Korea. This was in the Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ) located near Socotra Rock, southwest of Jeju Island. Established in 2000, the PMZ is a jointly managed stretch of water where South Korean and Chinese exclusive economic zones overlap. China claimed the 71.5 m-tall structure was an aquafarm, but Seoul complained because it was illegally set up without consultation. This is not the first time China has done this in the Yellow Sea either, but previously it removed similar structures after Seoul complained. These actions are remarkably similar to China's salami-slicing tactics in the South China Sea, where it makes territorial claims and enforces them with squatters like the Chinese Maritime Militia . Incremental deployment of rigs of growing size in the Yellow Sea fits China's pattern of escalation and militarisation. This is easy for China to do, because there is minimal separation between its military, law enforcement and civilian sectors. The key strategic change over the past 15 years has been the rise of multipolar authoritarianism, accompanied by an increasing activity among its practitioners to reshape the world in their image. This is clearly evident in the confluence of interactive relationships, if not strictly alliances, among China, North Korea, and Russia. These three countries fill one another's weaknesses to their mutual benefit, something the INDOPACOM commander noted in his testimony. As one example, Paparo said, "Russia's growing military cooperation with China, including joint exercises in the Pacific, adds another layer of complexity to the Indo-Pacific security environment. Their combined operations demonstrate increasing sophistication that potentially complicates USINDOPACOM response options in a crisis." Last year, China and Russia conducted an inaugural coast guard patrol, two naval patrols, three naval exercises and two bomber patrols -the latter including bomber patrols near Alaska and Guam featuring Chinese nuclear-capable H-6N bombers. Nor is China neutral in the Ukraine War. The Pentagon assesses that China has provided 70% of machine tools and 90% of legacy computer chips to enable Russia to rebuild its industrial war machine. In return, Russia is assisting China with technological advances such as submarine quieting. The senior US military officer in the Indo-Pacific region stressed how "a US network of allies and partners represents a tremendous asymmetric advantage in the Indo-Pacific. No competitor or adversary can match the combined strength and capabilities of this network." Paparo added that "USINDOPACOM must enable key allies and partners to acquire the necessary capabilities to defend themselves, while improving combined interoperability through bilateral and multilateral exercises and operations". However, President Donald Trump's erratic behaviour may pose the biggest obstacle at present, as allies, friends, and onlookers watch with horror as Trump throws one friend after the other under the bus. Trump has embittered many with his insistence on extorting tariffs, and Southeast Asia was initially particularly hard-hit. As Evan Feigenbaum, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , tweeted: "The US is pretty much done strategically in Southeast Asia. The region is filled with pragmatists, who can and do navigate all kinds of crazy stuff from outside powers. But that depends greatly on those players being either principled or strategic - and Washington is now neither." India also garnered a mention in the testimony, with INDOPACOM highlighting enhanced operational coordination, information sharing, collaboration and defence industrial and technology cooperation. "A strong and capable India - in durable partnership with the United States - can help provide security and deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific," Paparo stated. However, the underbelly for any US military response in the Indo-Pacific is the tyranny of distance, plus limited numbers of bases to which it will have access. Logistics, sustainment, stockpiles, agile combat deployments and base access are thorny issues for the USA. The nation requires close allies in the Indo-Pacific region, but wild US political behaviour is making the situation worse. "Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile," said Chinese Foreign Spokesperson Lin Jian on 11 April. He was referring to Trump's irrational imposition of tariffs, but ironically, China can be justifiably accused of treating smaller countries exactly the same way. Beijing is actively drawing others into its embrace, even as Xi visited the three Southeast Asian nations of Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam from April 14-18. Earlier, China and Cambodia announced on 5 April that the China-Cambodia Ream Port Joint Support & Training Centre had begun operations. China has been furtively investing in and building infrastructure at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base. The PLA stated the base is there to "ensure that the two militaries carry out regional counterterrorism, disaster prevention and mitigation, humanitarian rescue, joint training and other operations." PLA troops are now permanently stationed at this facility in Cambodia. The two parties added, "The construction and use of the centre is the result of mutual respect and equal consultation between China and Cambodia." They noted that the base is not directed at any third party, but "is conducive to further strengthening the pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries and better fulfilling international obligations and providing international public security products." At the end of his testimony, Paparo concluded: "As the most consequential opponent, China poses real and serious challenges to our military superiority. However, these challenges also present opportunities for reform and establishing an enduring advantage. While USINDOPACOM faces significant challenges, I remain confident in our deterrence posture and ability to defend US interests and maintain regional stability, but the trajectory must change. China is out-producing the United States in air, maritime and missile capability." Indeed, China is constructing combat warships at a ratio of 6:1.8 compared to the USA, which represents more than three times the quantity. Such ratios are reflected in just about every force element, according to Paparo. He described PLA modernisation as a "step-level change". Astonishingly, he assessed that the PLA has increased its military capability tenfold to fifteenfold in the past 20 years alone. China also has 2,100 fighters in its order of battle, as well as more than 200 H-6 bombers. Fighters are being produced at a rate of 1.2:1 compared to the USA. Their long-range air-to-air missiles "present a tremendous threat," said the chief. He also assessed that China has "high marks in their ability" to deny US air superiority in the First Island Chain. Neither side would gain complete mastery of the air, with INDOPACOM contesting air superiority and, when required, providing windows of air superiority to achieve specific aims. An unwanted war over Taiwan could result in a 25% GDP contraction in Asia, a 10-12% GDP reduction in the USA, and 7-10% higher unemployment in the States. Paparo also warned of this about any loss of Taiwan to the PLA, "The knock-on effect of the brittleness of that network of alliances and partnerships means that some of the states could confer and submit to the PRC's mode of exploitation en route to their long-range goal of setting the rules of the world and reaping the benefits of that.""If you do not hold the high ground along the First Island Chain, you are vastly limited in your ability to operate," he underscored. This led Senator Tom Cotton to say, "So the key then is to prevent the war from happening in the first place. We do not want to be in a situation where we have to win a war over Taiwan. We want to stop it from happening, and the way to do that is through a strong military and resolute, confident leadership." When Cotton asked the INDOPACOM head what he needed most, he responded, "counter-C5ISR [command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] capabilities in cyber, space, counter-space to ensure that the United States can see, understand, decide, act, assess, learn faster than the PRC can, to enhance our ability to blind, to deceive and to destroy the adversary's ability to see and sense." He said a second requirement is long-range fires and effects so the joint force is "effective in attacking centers of gravity, the platform that they ride on, the sustainment that sustains them." Paparo acknowledged that China frequently attempts to sabotage undersea internet cables, particularly around Taiwan, through gray-zone tactics. Senator Jacky Rosen remarked that China's "reckless, coercive and aggressive activities pose a threat to democracies around the globe, and its sabotage of those undersea cables has emerged as a particularly alarming tactic". Paparo proposed two countermeasures. The first is deterrence, "the ability to penetrate from an intelligence standpoint and to be there in the locations where they would be otherwise cutting those cables". Second is resilience, such as redundant networks to ensure the information environment continues unabated, as well as the proliferation of multiple constellations in low Earth orbit. Paparo admitted that anticipating and countering Chinese moves consumes his duties. He likened it to "a constant stare, the constant analysis of intelligence sources, of open-source sources and then the physical movement on the ground, to be able to see and understand, to anticipate and to be able to pace their actions that look to coerce Taiwan and to demonstrate the prospect of settling the matter by force". His second focus of attention is Chinese "encroachment on treaty allies in the Philippines, as well as encroachment on partners in the South China Sea, with their excessive and illogical claims and their Nine-Dash Line claim."
