US Defense Department Urges Congress to Approve Nuclear Force Budget to Counter China

Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urged the U.S. Congress on the 3rd (local time) to pass the budget bill, emphasizing that the U.S. must strengthen its military power to block China’s military objectives. He also stated that Congress should handle the budget for nuclear force modernization necessary to defend allies including South Korea.

According to AP News, Yonhap News, and others, Secretary Austin said at the Reagan Defense Forum held in Simi Valley, California, that the next few years will determine the competitive landscape with China and the future of European security, stressing that military power is needed so that American values, not China’s, can set global norms.

He said, “China is currently the only major power in the world that dreams of or has the will for authoritarian hegemonic dominance,” adding, “Let me be clear, we will not let China do that.”

Secretary Austin said that as the 2023 fiscal year budget discussions have reached a deadlock in Congress, it must be passed promptly. He added that the budget includes funds to modernize the three major nuclear forces (intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic bombers, nuclear submarines) and to strengthen nuclear command, control, and communications capabilities.

He mentioned nuclear weapons as one of the measures to secure deterrence against China. This is because they are safe, reliable, and effective as the ultimate defense mechanism to deter strategic attacks on the U.S., NATO, Japan, South Korea, and other allies.

Secretary Austin said, “The Department of Defense is focusing more on the Indo-Pacific, a major theater of operations, and is working to mobilize and deploy U.S. forces more rapidly,” adding, “We are investing in regional military construction, logistics, and facilities.” He continued, “We will maintain and enhance the capability to conduct war favorably so that China never concludes that war is the best option,” explaining, “We will allocate the defense budget to meet China’s challenges.”

Meanwhile, Secretary Austin strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and expressed a firm commitment to continue supporting Ukraine and defending NATO territory.