Air Force Leader Discusses Urgent China Threat and Future Defense Strategies

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall warns of China’s growing threat to U.S. national security at Air & Space Forces Association convention.

At a Glance

Kendall emphasizes China is a current, not future, threat to U.S. interests
China’s military capabilities, including nuclear and cyber operations, are rapidly expanding
U.S. Air and Space Forces undergoing massive modernization to counter Chinese advancements
Kendall stresses urgent need for readiness and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region

China’s Present Threat to U.S. Security

In a stark warning delivered at the Air & Space Forces Association convention, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall emphasized the immediate and escalating threat posed by China to U.S. national security interests. Kendall’s address highlighted the urgent need for American military preparedness in the face of China’s rapidly advancing capabilities.

Kendall’s assessment of the Chinese threat was unequivocal. He stated, “I’ve been closely watching the evolution of [China’s] military for 15 years. China is not a future threat; China is a threat today.” This blunt characterization underscores the shift in U.S. military thinking from viewing China as a potential adversary to recognizing it as an immediate challenge to American supremacy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Expanding Chinese Military Capabilities

The Secretary outlined China’s aggressive military expansion, particularly in areas designed to counter U.S. power projection in the Western Pacific. Of particular concern is China’s development of sophisticated weapons systems capable of targeting U.S. land and sea assets. Kendall noted, “In addition, China continues to expand its nuclear forces and its ability to operate in cyberspace. We can expect all these trends to continue.”

“China is a thinking, well-resourced adversary. They’re now thinking about the things we’ve said we’re going to do and how they’re going to defeat them. That’s why we have to re-optimize,” Kendall further noted.

This expansion of Chinese military capabilities extends beyond conventional forces. The growth of China’s nuclear arsenal and its increasingly sophisticated cyber operations pose significant challenges to U.S. defense strategies. These developments have raised alarm not only in Washington but also among other nations in the Indo-Pacific region, who are growing increasingly wary of China’s military ambitions and territorial assertiveness.

U.S. Military Modernization Efforts

In response to the growing Chinese threat, Kendall outlined an ambitious modernization program for the U.S. Air and Space Forces. This initiative aims to ensure that American forces remain capable of deterring and, if necessary, prevailing in any potential conflict with China.

“I had an assumption, walking in the door, that the Air Force and Space Force which, despite its newness, were basically structured and ready for whatever conflict might happen,” Kendall said. “The realization has come to me over the period of time that I’ve been here—and the Chiefs are 100 percent in agreement with this—that we’re not as ready as we should be for great power conflict today.”

Key elements of this modernization effort include the development of resilient space constellations, new GPS satellites, and advanced command and control systems. The Air Force is also making significant progress on the B-21 Raider long-range bomber and is reviewing the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program to ensure it meets both technological and budgetary requirements while maintaining a focus on air superiority.

Urgency and Resource Allocation

Kendall stressed the critical importance of adequate resource allocation to support these modernization efforts. While praising the support received from the White House and Congress, he emphasized that more resources are needed to fully address the challenges posed by China’s military expansion.

“I am not saying war in the Pacific is imminent or inevitable. It is not,” Kendall said. “But I am saying that the likelihood is increasing and will continue to do so.”

The Secretary’s comments reflect a growing sense of urgency within the U.S. military establishment. While not predicting imminent conflict, Kendall’s assessment suggests that the likelihood of confrontation is increasing. This underscores the importance of continued investment in military modernization and readiness to ensure that the United States remains capable of deterring aggression and defending its interests in the Indo-Pacific region.