Rattled by China, U.S. and allies are beefing up defenses in the Pacific

The provocative actions taken by China, North Korea and Russia have prompted the United States and its closest allies in the Indo-Pacific to ramp up military capabilities and deepen their cooperation. 

What prompted the US to ramp up activities in the Indo-Pacific Ocean?

• North Korea’s record number of missile launches last year
• Beijing’s “no limits” relationship with Moscow

• China’s unrelenting expansion of militarized air bases in the South China Sea
• Chinese spy balloon spotted over sensitive nuclear sites in Montana

How US allies are working towards the goal?

• Japan: In December, Japan announced it will massively hike its defence budget and buy U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles.
• Philippines: The Philippines would allow U.S. troops to access four additional military sites in the country.
• Australia: The country is expected to unveil a path forward to acquire nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the United States and Britain — a plan that is likely to include rotational deployment of U.S. submarines in Australia to help the navy there train its crews.

What is India’s stand?

• India, an important partner in the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy, has been willing to cooperate with the United States in military exercises and most recently in defence technology.
• But, keen to preserve its policy of strategic autonomy, it has avoided becoming part of any multilateral security arrangement or joining any coalition to pressure Russia or China.