Military spending in Asia: Washington is pressing its allies to reach 3.5% of GDP to counter the rise of Chinese power. A call for strategic autonomy, against a backdrop of strengthened cooperation within AUKUS.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called on Asian countries allied with the United States to increase their defense spending to counter China’s growing military power and prevent its domination of the region.
Pete Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual forum on defense and intelligence in Asia, said stronger, more self-reliant allies were crucial for deterrence.
“There is legitimate concern about China’s historic rise in military power and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” the Pentagon chief said. “A Pacific dominated by any state would unravel the regional balance of forces,” he estimated.“No state, including China, can impose hegemony and challenge the security of our nation and our allies.”
An increase in military spending to 3.5% of GDP
The United States expects its allies and partners in Asia to increase their defense spending to 3.5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), Pete Hegseth said. Allies have committed to investing $1.5 trillion in their armed forces.
“Less Shangri-La, more ships, more submarines”, said Pete Hegseth, emphasizing that “Allies want stability, not escalation. “What they want, and what the United States offers them, is disciplined strength, unwavering determination, and leadership confident enough to speak and act gently while wielding a big stick.”
The American Secretary of Defense also announced that the United States, Great Britain and Australia were working together on the development of unmanned underwater vehicles as part of their trilateral defense pact called AUKUS.
“This flagship project will deploy a series of UUVs (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles) for highly adjustable, multiple missions, designed to support underwater operations and maintain our collective advantage in the maritime domain,” at-il déclaré.
This program, created in 2021, is part of the “second pillar” of AUKUS, ​which aims to develop advanced defense technologies, including quantum computing, underwater technologies, hypersonics, artificial intelligence (AI) — and cyber security.
No profiteers
Pete Hegseth echoed President Donald Trump’s long-standing demand that allies take on a greater share of their own defense spending.
“The days when the “United States subsidized” the defense of rich nations are over”at-il déclaré. “We need partners, not protectorates”he added. “An alliance can only be solid if everyone puts their own effort into it. We must not take advantage of the situation,” “he continued.
Pete Hegseth, however, welcomed the contributions of certain allies, notably those of South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. He also said Japan was taking concrete steps to strengthen its defenses. “Tokyo and Washington must each do their part to strengthen the Japan-US alliance,” he said.
Pete Hegseth also adopted a measured tone regarding Sino-American relations, affirming that they are “better than they have been in many years” and that more frequent military exchanges help manage tensions. “We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining “open military communication channels”he said.
Zhou Bo, a researcher at Tsinghua University and retired colonel of the People’s Liberation Army, member of the Chinese delegation, however presents Sino-American relations as “complicated.” However, he believes that Pete Hegseth adopted a tone “much better” this year than last year, attributing this change to Donald Trump’s visit to China.
China, whose Defense Minister is boycotting the Shangri-La Dialogue forum for the second year in a row, accused Pete Hegseth last year of making comments “defamatory”.
Vente d’armes à Taïwan
Asked about the possible impact of the proposed multi-billion dollar arms sales to Taiwan on US stockpiles, Pete Hegseth downplayed concerns. “We are very satisfied with our stocks and their use”, at-il déclaré.
Taiwan, which China considers an integral part of its territory, is awaiting approval from the United States for an arms sale which, according to Reuters, could reach $14 billion.
Donald Trump sowed doubt in Taipei by declaring, after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this month, that he had not yet decided whether he would approve the project.
Any decision on future arms sales will be up to President Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth said, noting that there will be no change in Washington’s long-standing approach despite recent exchanges with Beijing.
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