U.S. military bases in Pacific 'highly vulnerable' to N. Korean, Chinese missiles, drones: expert

A U.S. expert warns that military bases in South Korea, Japan and other Pacific nations are highly susceptible to attacks from North Korea and China. Seth Jones, head of the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), suggests the U.S. has been slow to adapt defenses following the ongoing war in the Middle East.

The expert points to the rapid advancements in drone and missile technology, which have compelled Ukraine and Russia to bolster their base protection measures since the conflict began in 2022. Jones asserts that the Pacific region faces a more significant threat than the Middle East, citing China's larger and more capable stockpile of drones, cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

U.S. military installations across the Pacific, including those in Japan, the Philippines, Guam, and South Korea, are particularly vulnerable to Chinese and North Korean missile and drone assaults. To address this vulnerability, Jones recommends the U.S. adopt multi-faceted defense strategies, incorporating both active and passive measures.

Active defenses, such as air defense systems capable of identifying, neutralizing, or disrupting incoming threats, are essential. Passive defenses encompass measures like constructing underground facilities to safeguard vital infrastructure, employing camouflage, concealment and deception, and dispersing military facilities to complicate potential adversary attacks.

Jones emphasizes that the U.S. has already suffered significant consequences due to its lack of preparedness in an era where drones and missiles are prevalent. He questions whether the U.S. military will learn from these mistakes before the situation worsens. The Chinese, Iranians, North Koreans, and Russians remain vigilant, awaiting their opportunity to strike.