Adm. William Fallon says China is “sitting on the largest cash hoard in the world,” and Beijing aims to use it to continue purchasing weapons and developing systems, “like this anti-satellite shot,” that’s “clearly designed to counter our capabilities.” However, the head of US Pacific Command told House Armed Services Committee members last week that China “has a long way to go,” so it’s not “particularly threatening right now.” Fallon, who is going to take over US Central Command, endorses continued military-to-military exchanges, particularly at the mid-level officer level because they are the “up and coming decision-makers in the future.” Fallon noted that in his own follow-on visits, he had gotten to see more and “engage in more useful and realistic dialogue.”
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
