Pentagon Backs Plan To Inject Billions Of Dollars Into US Military In Asia

The U.S. military in Asia may get a big boost over the next few years.

The Pentagon has offered its support to a plan that will inject $8 billion over a period of five years into U.S. military strength in Asia, reports The Wall Street Journal. The funds will be used to upgrade military infrastructure, conduct more drills and training exercises, and deploy more U.S. troops and ships into the region.

The plan may signal to Asia that the U.S. remains committed to the region as it faces a rising China and a stronger, nuclear North Korea — two major security concerns.

The plan, known as the Asia Pacific Stability Initiative and initially put forward by Arizona Senator John McCain, has the support, in principle, of Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Admiral Harry Harris, head of U.S. Pacific Command.

“This initiative could enhance U.S. military power through targeted funding to realign our force posture in the region, improve operationally relevant infrastructure, fund additional exercises, pre-position equipment and build capacity with our allies and partners,” McCain told Harris in April.

During the hearing, Harris indicated that he has the ability to “fight tonight” if necessary, but additional assets, such as submarines, would significantly improve the U.S. military’s capabilities in Asia.

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