Marine Corps touts modernization to combat China’s military threat

The Marine Corps commandant is touting the branch’s ongoing modernization efforts to combat China’s military threat.

“Threats from Beijing include its stated goal of seizing Taiwan, if necessary, as well as building military outposts on tiny islands in the South China Sea that do not belong to China,” the Defense Department say.

In addition, Gen. Eric Smith on Tuesday highlighted progress on the Corps’ “Force Design” during a talk at the Brookings Institution, in Washington, D.C.

China has increasingly flexed its military might off Taiwan’s coast, amid the island nation's continuing effort to distance itself from China rule and become more democratic.

On May 24, for example. the Chinese navy and air force conducted military exercises off Taiwan’s coast in a show of strength. 

The “Force Design” program “includes making Marines more mobile and less of a target, while increasing the range, precision and lethality of their weapons.”

The corps’ initiatives included getting “rid of all its tanks, which would not be useful in a war with China,” and focusing on “long-range fires – such as artillery, loitering munitions and rocket-assisted projectiles – along with unmanned aerial systems like the MQ-9A Reaper.”

The modernization comes as the Chinese government prepares for “unstable relations” with the United States over alleged efforts to undermine Communist Party rule over Taiwan and over China’s support for Russia in the war in Ukraine.

The modernization efforts aim to make the corps a more effective counter to China’s growing military threat, which includes an expanding nuclear arsenal.

A recent report highlighted a “significant” expansion in China’s nuclear capabilities, which could rival those of the U.S. and Russia within six years.

Detection systems like “radar and sensors would also be important,” Smith said.

Smith touted the Corps’ air capability modernization, including expanded use of “the F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter, and the MV-22 Osprey,” which he said are “all performing well.”

Smith also highlighted areas for improvement, including the need for “amphibious ships to transport Marines and their equipment” and “increased ... munitions production.”

He also said the corps needs “a minimum of 31” amphibious vehicles “to produce three, amphibious-ready groups for Marine expeditionary units: one on the East Coast of the U.S., one on the West Coast of the U.S. an  in Okinawa, Japan.