The Pentagon has urgently allocated $12.6 billion to monitor Chinese submarines and aircraft, is it preparing for action?
According to Bloomberg, the Pentagon has once again urgently allocated an additional $1.26 billion to closely track China's submarines, satellites, aircraft, and cyber activities. More than half of this funding will go toward upgrading the monitoring network in the Indo-Pacific region. This is not just about installing a few more radars, but building a three-dimensional sensing network from the ocean floor to space. In particular, regarding the movement patterns of Chinese submarines, the US military plans to deploy more underwater listening arrays and unmanned submersibles.
China's submarine stealth technology has made rapid progress in recent years. Submarines such as the 093B, 094A, and the latest 095 nuclear submarine have quickly eroded the traditional sonar advantages of the US military. This money is aimed at regaining the "ability to listen."
Secondly, $528 million is specifically used to expand the "Silent Buck" spy satellite constellation. This satellite, led by the National Reconnaissance Office, has an extremely low profile, but its functions are extremely fierce. Its original design was to be able to maneuver flexibly in low orbit, and to conduct close-range surveillance of other countries' spacecraft, and even have the potential to interfere with or destroy enemy satellites when necessary.
Additionally, Boeing's X-37B spaceplane project has received additional operating funds. This mysterious aircraft has repeatedly carried out long-term orbital missions, and its actual payload remains a secret. However, multiple analyses suggest that it may be carrying electronic reconnaissance, signal interception, and even small weapon platforms. Increasing its operational frequency means the US military hopes to maintain a "ready-to-act" mobile strike/reconnaissance node in low Earth orbit.
Dao Ge thinks that the sudden additional funding by the Pentagon clearly indicates that they have sensed some signs. As to whether it will fire the first shot? Everyone is waiting. After all, it's hard to tell what's real and what's fake.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858173826604041/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.