In a startling shift in global military dynamics, both Russia and China are ramping up their military capabilities, leading to urgent calls for the U.S. military to strengthen its defenses.
Top military commanders in the U.S. are expressing serious concern about this alarming trend. Russia is aggressively rebuilding its military strength, even after encountering significant losses in Ukraine, by adopting unprecedented production rates for combat systems. At the same time, China’s shipbuilding industry far outstrips its U.S. counterpart, leading to worries of a strategic imbalance that could have severe implications for national security.
Russia’s Military Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts
Despite enduring significant losses—an estimated 3,000 tanks, 9,000 armored vehicles, and over 400 air defense systems in just one year—Russia is set to replace its lost equipment at an astonishing pace. U.S. European Command chief General Christopher Cavoli noted in congressional testimony that Russia is not only restoring its active-duty military but also significantly expanding its military industrial production. A staggering plan is in place for Russia to roll out 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles, and 200 Iskander ballistic and cruise missiles this year alone. In stark contrast, the U.S. military is on track to produce just 135 tanks during the same time frame.
Moreover, Russia has expanded its munitions production capabilities, reportedly manufacturing 250,000 artillery shells each month, resulting in a stockpile that could be three times larger than what is available to the U.S. and Europe combined. The Russian government has committed to increasing its defense spending by a staggering 25%, which now accounts for over 6% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This restructuring of Russia’s defense and economic policies indicates a long-term commitment to military expansion and modernization, designed to sustain its operations in Ukraine and beyond.
China’s Shipbuilding Superiority
With China’s naval expansion, the dynamics change significantly. Recent intelligence has revealed that China commands a shipbuilding capacity that is 200 times greater than that of the U.S. This vast discrepancy allows China to produce more warships within a month than the U.S. military can accomplish in an entire year, presenting a considerable strategic threat.
China has invested heavily in dual-use maritime capabilities, which means its naval production can shift to a wartime tempo seamlessly. This places China at an advantage in a protracted conflict, as it will be able to build, repair, and maintain its fleet much more effectively than its adversaries. Beyond the naval sector, China now boasts the largest army, air force, and strategic rocket force globally.
The Response Required from the U.S.
The need for a significant increase in the U.S. defense budget has become evident. Washington is gearing up for a bipartisan financial support plan with priorities focused on military readiness and modernization. Given the strategic threats from Russia and China, U.S. leadership insists on not allowing its military capabilities to erode further.
Presently, the U.S. defense budget has seen declines in real terms, accounting for just about 3% of the economy—the lowest proportion since the Cold War. In the face of rising threats, it is imperative to reinvigorate the American defense industrial base and update its military arsenal. Upcoming legislation aims to funnel resources into various critical military efforts, including shipbuilding, munitions production, and advancements in air and space assets.
Strengthening Capabilities and Modernization Efforts
U.S. leaders are reviewing and streamlining defense plans to invest in 17 capability areas, emphasizing the nuclear triad, missile defense systems, drones, and collaborative combat aircraft technologies. There is a consensus across both executive and legislative branches that reinvesting in military capabilities is essential to maintaining deterrence against powerful adversaries like Russia and China.
Substantial investment now will pave the way for future readiness. Bipartisan recognition underscores the urgency to bolster deterrence, modernize the armed forces, and rejuvenate the entire defense industrial landscape, beginning with the workforce and supply chain that supports these efforts.
Strategic Partnerships Heightening Concerns
Beyond the efforts of Russia and China, other regional players like North Korea and Iran are contributing to the shifting military landscape. North Korea is reportedly supplying artillery to Russia, while Iran is enhancing its production of drones and missiles. This collaboration among adversaries forms an alarming axis of military production that could overwhelm U.S. domestic capabilities, necessitating immediate action.
Moving from Planning to Production
The emphasis on swift transition from plans to actual military production cannot be overstated. The sooner the U.S. military can begin to rebuild its arsenal and restore its deterrent forces, the more secure it will be in addressing the evolving threats posed by its adversaries. America’s military might is at a critical junction, and decisive actions now will dictate the trajectory of its defense readiness for years to come.
As military production dynamics evolve with Russia and China leading in their capabilities, the utmost priority for U.S. leaders must be a clear increase in funding, innovation, and a unified front to ensure America's military remains a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.