12.15.22

NDAA Features Crucial Programs And Force Modernization Needed To Confront The Challenge Posed By China

The Department Of Defense Recently Warned That China ‘Has Mobilized Vast Resources In Support Of Its Defense Modernization’ And The FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act Is A Critical ‘Step Toward The Investments, Modernization, And Stronger Strategies That’ The U.S. Military Needs In Order To ‘Compete And Win’

 

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “Today I want to focus on what most Senators agree is the single greatest medium-term and long-term national security challenge that our nation faces: The Chinese Communist Party. The [FY 23 NDAA] includes provisions to extend our security assistance to Taiwan. It steps up our investments in capabilities that are especially crucial to operations in the Indo-Pacific, from space assets to naval mines. It re-prioritizes countering China’s nuclear breakout by curbing the Biden Administration’s naïve efforts to retire critical elements of our nuclear arsenal. It tightens security on our cutting-edge research and bolsters sea-launch strategic deterrent capabilities. And that’s not all. This strong bipartisan bill puts new weight behind our long-term commitments to stand with both vulnerable countries in China’s orbit and vulnerable people within its own borders. It will authorize a new Joint Force Headquarters right there in the region, and make sure that U.S. military installations are not commercial destinations for goods that have been produced with Uyghur slave labor in the Xinjiang province. … China is actively trying to undercut American interests and partnerships everywhere from Asia itself, to the Middle East, to Africa, and beyond. This NDAA will strengthen our hand. It prioritizes crucial partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. … The NDAA is only a first step toward the investments, modernization, and stronger strategies that we need to compete and win against rivals who don’t wish us well. But it is a crucial first step.” (Sen. McConnell, Remarks, 12/15/2022)

SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE RANKING MEMBER JIM INHOFE (R-OK): “Anyone who knows me knows how important it is to me that we work together to produce a bipartisan agreement that provides for America’s troops. As I near the close of my time here in Congress, ensuring our troops have what they need is my number one priority and I am glad we are one step closer to final passage of the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to produce a bipartisan, bicameral defense bill for the 62nd year … One thing remains clear: we are in the most threatened position of my lifetime. Conservatives in Oklahoma and across the United States can be proud of what we secured in this year’s bill to protect our country from threats like China and Russia and give our troops what they need to complete their mission.” (Sen. Inhofe, Press Release, 12/06/2022)

SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): “Well, it is clear there is one priority, and that is the strength and security and safety of our Nation and our way of life--to preserve and protect the peace and to protect the freedom of all Americans. The way we do that is through the National Defense Authorization Act. It is, I believe, the most important piece of legislation that we consider each year, among other important pieces of legislation. This is how we support our troops, how we support our military families in an all-volunteer military, how we maintain our military bases, how we modernize our weapons systems and airframes and invest in the next generation of weapons. … Given the state of the world, preserving our military readiness has never been more important. China and Russia have, obviously, grown more aggressive in their efforts to disrupt the global order. North Korea continues to threaten the United States and our allies with its nuclear capabilities. Iran, which is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, continues to threaten democracies in the Middle East, including our ally in Israel, and to threaten not only regional conflict but something worse. This is a fragile time for global peace and security, and a strong National Defense Authorization Act is the principal way that we supply our military with the resources and certainty needed for our commanders to plan for the future.” (Sen. Cornyn, Congressional Record, S6975-6976, 12/06/2022)

 

According To A Recent Pentagon Report, China Is Aiming To Complete Its Military Modernization By 2027 As It ‘Pursues Taiwan Unification’

China Is Increasing Its Military Spending By Around 7 Percent But ‘Its Actual Military-Related Spending Is Likely Significantly Higher Than What It States In Its Official Budget’

“In 2021, the PRC announced its annual military budget would increase by 6.8 percent, continuing more than 20 years of annual defense spending increases and sustaining its position as the second-largest military spender in the world. As the PRC’s published military budget omits several major categories of expenditures, its actual military-related spending is likely significantly higher than what it states in its official budget.” (“Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” U.S. Department of Defense, 11/29/2022)

China Has A Military Modernization Objective Of 2027 ‘To Be A More Credible Military Tool For The Chinese Communist Party To Wield As It Pursues Taiwan Unification’

“In 2021, the PRC increasingly turned to the [People’s Liberation Army] as an instrument of statecraft as it adopted more coercive and aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region. Having purportedly achieved its 2020 modernization goal, the PLA now sets its sights to 2027 with a goal to accelerate the integrated development of mechanization, information, and intelligentization of the PRC’s armed forces. If realized, this 2027 objective could give the PLA capabilities to be a more credible military tool for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to wield as it pursues Taiwan unification.” (“Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” U.S. Department of Defense, 11/29/2022)

“In 2021, the PLA continued to make progress implementing major structural reforms, fielding modern indigenous systems, building readiness, and strengthening its competency to conduct joint operations.” (“Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” U.S. Department of Defense, 11/29/2022)

“The PRC has mobilized vast resources in support of its defense modernization, including through its Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) Development Strategy, as well as espionage activities to acquire sensitive, dual use, and military-grade equipment. The PRC has substantially reorganized its defense-industrial sector to improve weapon system research, development, acquisition, testing, evaluation, and production.” (“Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” U.S. Department of Defense, 11/29/2022)

The Chinese Navy Is The Largest In The World And Its Modernization Efforts Are Meant To ‘Deter And Counter Any Potential Third-Party Intervention In A Taiwan Conflict’

“The [People’s Liberation Army Navy] is numerically the largest navy in the world with an overall battle force of approximately 340 ships and submarines, including approximately 125 major surface combatants. As of 2021, the PLAN is largely composed of modern multi-mission ships and submarines.” (“Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” U.S. Department of Defense, 11/29/2022)

“The PLAN is improving its anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, further developing an at-sea nuclear deterrence, and introducing new multi-mission platforms capable of conducting diverse missions during peace and war. New attack submarines and modern surface combatants with anti-air capabilities and fourth-generation naval aircraft are designed to achieve maritime superiority within the First Island Chain to deter and counter any potential third-party intervention in a Taiwan conflict.” (“Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” U.S. Department of Defense, 11/29/2022)

China Is On Pace To Triple Its Nuclear Arsenal To 1,500 Warheads By 2035

“In 2020, the DoD estimated China’s operational nuclear warhead stockpile was in the low-200s and expected to double by 2030. However, Beijing probably accelerated its nuclear expansion, and DoD estimates this stockpile has now surpassed 400 operational nuclear warheads. … The PLA plans to ‘basically complete modernization’ of its national defense and armed forces by 2035. If China continues the pace of its nuclear expansion, it will likely field a stockpile of about 1,500 warheads by that time.” (“Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China,” U.S. Department of Defense, 11/29/2022)

 

The FY 2023 NDAA Includes Multiple Provisions To Give American Forces And American Allies The Ability To Counter China As The ‘Most Consequential Strategic Competitor’

“The national security challenges before the United States are momentous. In its 2022 National Defense Strategy (NDS), the Department of Defense judges China as the ‘most consequential strategic competitor and the pacing challenge for the Department,’ and identifies Russia as an ‘acute threat.’ These global rivals do not accept the international norms that have helped maintain peace and stability for the better part of a century, and our long-term strategic competition with China and Russia is likely to intensify. … The interconnected nature of these and other threats will drive how the United States resources and transforms its tools of national power to rise to the challenge. The passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 is an important step toward achieving that goal.” (“Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 10/11/2022)

This Year’s Defense Authorization Bill Provides Critical Authorizations To Continue Modernizing, Expanding, And Replenishing American Military Equipment And Capabilities

The FY 2023 NDAA authorizes more aircraft for electronic warfare, air superiority, ground attack, and refueling, as well as more drone aircraft. (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

“Supports the Army's focus on priority modernization efforts, to include long-range fires, future vertical lift, next-generation combat vehicles, and air and missile defense.” (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

“Authorizes more than $2.7 billion for additional munitions production and capacity expansion for increased future production…. Authorizes $5.9 billion for the procurement of 2,365 Navy munitions, an increase of $1.1 billion over the President’s budget request.” (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

“Authorizes $32.6 billion for Navy shipbuilding, an increase of $4.7 billion, which includes the procurement of 11 battle force ships …” (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

The FY 2023 NDAA Prioritizes New Capabilities Necessary For ‘Long-Term Strategic Competition With China’

“Supports the DOD in its mission to meet the objectives of the 2022 National Defense Strategy, including defending the U.S. homeland; deterring adversaries; prevailing in longterm strategic competition; and building a resilient Joint Force. Increases the topline authorization level by $45 billion to address the effects of inflation and accelerate implementation of the National Defense Strategy. This includes authorizing additional security assistance to Ukraine; accelerating the production of certain munitions; providing additional resources for service and combatant command requirements; and authorizing funding for additional military construction projects and facilities maintenance.” (“Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 10/11/2022)

“Directs the establishment of a cross-functional team to integrate DoD efforts to address national security challenges posed by China.” (“Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 10/11/2022)

“States that it shall be the policy of the United States to maintain the ability of the United States Armed Forces to deny a fait accompli against Taiwan in order to deter the People’s Republic of China from using military force to unilaterally change the status quo with Taiwan.” (“Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 10/11/2022)

“Prohibits DoD from participating in film projects if the content of those projects has been censored by the government of China or the Chinese Communist Party.” (“Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 10/11/2022)

 The Bill Also Strengthens U.S. Positions In The Indo-Pacific Region Against Chinese Aggression By Providing New Resources To Our Foreign Partners

“Extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) through fiscal year 2023, identifies approximately $11.5 billion of investments in support of PDI objectives, and authorizes approximately an additional $1 billion to address unfunded requirements identified by the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).” (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

“Authorizes the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act of 2022, including various provisions designed to increase security cooperation with Taiwan consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act.” (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

“Modifies the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) by removing the limitation on funding under the authority and authorizing the use of funds under the authority to facilitate participation of U.S. Coast Guard personnel and capabilities in the execution of training, exercises, and other activities with foreign partners under MSI.” (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

“Requires engagement with the Ministry of Defense of India to expand cooperation on emerging technology, readiness, and logistics.” (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

“Requires the establishment of a joint force headquarters within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.” (“Summary of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,” U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 12/06/2022)

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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Related Issues: National Security, China, America's Military, Russia, NDAA