US Overseas Territory Vulnerable to Chinese Missiles, Warns Official

US Overseas Territory Faces Grave Vulnerability to Chinese Missiles, Warns Republican Official

Source: Fox News

A top-ranking Republican official has issued a stark warning about the United States’ overseas territory, stating that it is highly vulnerable to Chinese missile threats. Congressman Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House China Task Force, has expressed concerns over the precarious situation of Guam, a strategically important US territory in the Pacific.

Gallagher has formally requested information from Army Secretary Christine Wormuth regarding the efforts being made by the US military to protect Guam from potential Chinese military aggression. Guam is home to the only naval submarine base in the Pacific and a large-scale air force base capable of accommodating US strategic bombers and fighters.

Highlighting the growing sophistication of China’s missile network, particularly in cruise missiles, Gallagher has emphasized the significant vulnerability of Guam. China has been developing short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles for decades, specifically targeting US military airfields in Guam and Japan, as well as US aircraft carriers and warships operating in the Pacific.

Gallagher has raised concerns about the US’s ability to defend against cruise missiles aimed at land-based targets like Guam, citing substantial gaps in the ground-based missile defense system designed for this purpose. Delays in the delivery of prototype launchers have further exacerbated the situation, raising uncertainties about the future of Guam’s defense capabilities.

In his letter to Secretary Wormuth, Gallagher seeks alternative solutions to address the defense gap caused by delivery delays and requests information on the Army’s plans to enhance Guam’s ground-based cruise missile defense capabilities. He also inquires about potential collaboration with allies such as Japan and Australia to bolster defense integration.

The Army has been contacted for comment but has not responded at the time of reporting. Gallagher’s information request underscores the urgent need to protect Guam, a highly vulnerable US territory, from potential Chinese military aggression.

Gallagher believes that China’s aggression poses the most significant geopolitical challenge to the next US president and warns of the economic repercussions that may follow. Strengthening Guam’s defense and enhancing its ground-based cruise missile defense capabilities are deemed vital for safeguarding US interests and security in the region.

For more information, please contact Brooke Singman, political reporter for Fox News Digital, via email at [email protected] or on Twitter (@BrookeSingman).

Article Source: Fox News