As North Korea’s ballistic missile program gains momentum, the United States (US) military is strengthening the air defenses of the island of Guam, a strategic location in the western Pacific Ocean. When the US plan to build 20 new air defense sites on Guam, complete with surface-to-air interceptors and radars, is completed, the island will have one of the most powerful airfields in the world.[1] Guam is the US Army’s key base in the Pacific Ocean.
US President Joe Biden has requested nearly $900 million from the US Congress to protect Guam against “missile threats from China” in 2022. According to the US Department of Defense’s budget proposal to Congress, this amount included $539 million from the Missile Defense Agency to “install multiple ground-based radar systems, procure weapon system components, and initiate military construction planning and design activities.”[2]
The Defense Department’s budget proposal comes on the heels of North Korea’s test of the most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the east coast of the United States. This is Pyongyang’s first intercontinental ballistic missile test since 2017. The island is strategically located in the Western Pacific and hosts important bases for the US Air Force, Navy and now the Marine Corps. These bases are key in the event of a conflict in the region, especially against China.
The challenges the United States may face in Guam’s missile defense next year are growing. Pentagon leaders say that 2024 will be an important year to strengthen defenses around Guam, one of the critical strategic islands in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Missile Defense Agency and the US Army are requesting a total of $1.5 billion in the fiscal year 2024 budget to ensure the island’s preparedness by moving assets and integrating capabilities.[3] This is a critical test for the Army, which is sometimes overlooked by decision-makers focused on air and naval power in the Indo-Pacific region.
At a press conference in Beijing on Friday, December 8, 2023, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian warned against turning Guam into a US “outpost for waging war”. “Guam’s security depends on what role the United States wants Guam to play,” Wu said.[4]
In January 2023, the United States opened a new military base on Guam for the first time in 70 years. The base is expected to house around 5,000 marines.
The development of Guam’s missile defense is a key element of a broader strategy to secure the Pacific region and deter adversaries. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has identified Guam’s air and missile defense as a top priority, as the focal point of US power projection in the Pacific.[5]
Recent developments underscore the strategic importance of the United States in the Pacific region, and in particular the critical role of the defense of the island of Guam. Guam’s missile defense aims to strengthen the US presence in the Pacific Ocean by influencing security dynamics in the region. However, these strategic moves could have a major impact on relations with China.
The Chinese Defense Ministry’s warning is a reaction to US plans to use Guam as a “forward military base for waging war”. The budget requested by the US to strengthen Guam’s missile defenses reflects an effort to prepare for potential future conflicts. While 2024 is expected to be a critical year for strengthening the defenses around Guam, there are developments that should be carefully monitored for the future of the Pacific region. These strategic moves could play a decisive role in future Sino-US relations. In this process, diplomatic solutions and open channels of communication will play a crucial role.
[1] “US Moots Biggest-Ever Military Rejig Near China; Plans 20 New Air Defense Sites In Guam To Blunt PLA Missiles”, Eurasian Times, https://www.eurasiantimes.com/new-backyard-plans-20-new-air-defense/, (Erişim Tarihi: 10.12.2023).
[2] Aynı yer.
[3] “US Faces Hurdles Next Year For Guam’s Missile Defense, Experts Warn”, Defense News, https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/2023/12/04/us-faces-hurdles-next-year-for-guams-missile-defense-experts-warn/, (Erişim Tarihi: 10.12.2023).
[4] “China Warns Against US Turning Guam Into ‘Outpost To Wage Wars’”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-warns-against-us-turning-guam-into-outpost-to-wage-wars-/2980568, (Erişim Tarihi: 10.12.2023).
[5] Aynı yer.
