NATO chief Mark Rutte expresses deep concern over China's rapid naval expansion, which is outpacing the US by 200 times. With China's fleet now the largest globally, Rutte emphasizes the urgent need for the US to enhance its military preparedness. The situation is compounded by challenges in US shipbuilding due to workforce shortages.
NATO Chief Warns: China's Naval Power Surges Ahead of the US
NATO Chief Warns: China's Naval Power Surges Ahead of the US
China is expanding its naval power at a rate 200 times faster than the United States. "I am truly concerned," says NATO chief Mark Rutte. He warns that shipbuilding in the US "is not happening at a pace that allows them to catch up with what China is doing right now," reports the Daily Mail.
For decades, the US Navy has been the dominant maritime force. However, last December, the Pentagon revealed that the Chinese navy is now the largest in the world, boasting "a combat force of over 370 ships and submarines, including more than 140 major surface combatants."
A majority of China's fleet consists of modern ships capable of conducting submarine operations and various missions, according to the Pentagon.
US Vice Admiral Robert Murrett has stated that American shipyards have struggled to keep up with projects due to a shortage of personnel.
"200 Times Larger"
During a NATO defense summit in Prague on Thursday, Rutte warned that the US must be better militarily prepared.
"When it comes to shipbuilding and our fleet, and particularly the US Navy, I am truly concerned. China now has more ships in operation than the US, and shipbuilding in the US is not happening at a pace that allows them to catch up with what China is doing right now," says Rutte.
He is supported by Nick Childs, a senior fellow for naval forces and maritime security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
"The Chinese shipbuilding capacity is about 200 times larger than the American," says Childs.
"We Need Much More"
Even though the shipbuilding market is growing in Europe, it is not enough, according to Rutte.
"We need much more if we collectively want to fill that gap," says Rutte.
During a parade in Beijing earlier this week, China showcased several new weapons, with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-Un as guests of honor. In his speech during the parade, President Xi Jinping described China as a "great nation that does not fear violence" and claimed that the country is "unstoppable."
"The US prioritizes deterring China from war in the Pacific," said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to European allies earlier this year.