The US plans to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region and build infrastructure to serve deterrence capabilities, Deputy Secretary of War Policy Elbridge Colby revealed.
We are actively expanding the frontline, accelerating the provision of strong combat capabilities to the region and building physical infrastructure for a defense system," Mr. Colby said during a visit to the Philippines.
Mr. Colby said that the US priority is to "deploy a complete, resilient and fully operational deterrent system, stretching along the First Island Chain", from Malaysia to Japan.
Washington intends to work with partners in the region to build infrastructure to "maintain a military capability sufficient to operate in the most important areas", with particular emphasis on arranging additional forces and equipment in the western Pacific region.
Mr. Colby emphasized, "The US is certainly not withdrawing from Asia", but wants Indo-Pacific partners to take on greater responsibility for ensuring their own security.
“When we ask allies and partners to increase contributions, invest more in their own defense capabilities and take responsibility for their own security and sovereignty, that does not mean we are sending a signal to abandon them,” he noted.
US officials said Washington has invested in joint infrastructure, and 4 patrol boats are coordinating operations with the Philippine Coast Guard.
After the Philippines, Mr. Colby will visit some other countries in the region, including Indonesia and Thailand.
The US Defense Strategy announced in December last year identified the Indo-Pacific as the venue for some of the most important geopolitical and economic competitions of this century.
