News of War Staff Writer
LONDON – In a significant development last summer, U.S. and Australian forces conducted extensive amphibious landings, ground combat, and air operations, drawing attention for their deepened defence collaboration aimed at countering China's escalating military aspirations.
However, for U.S. military strategists planning for a possible conflict over Taiwan, these high-profile Talisman Sabre drills offered a more covert advantage. According to U.S. officials, new caches of military equipment were established, left in Australia after the exercises concluded in August.
Amid growing concerns that Chinese President Xi Jinping might direct his military to seize Taiwan – a democratically governed island claimed by China – the U.S. is rigorously examining its military readiness. A key focus is bolstering its logistics network, a critical area currently lagging.
The Talisman Sabre's legacy in southeastern Australia includes approximately 330 vehicles, trailers, and 130 containers stored in Bandiana, the Army reported. This substantial cache, previously unpublicised, is sufficient to equip around three logistics companies, potentially comprising over 500 soldiers, tasked with ensuring the timely delivery of supplies to combatants.
This material is essential not only for future drills but also for potential natural disasters or wartime scenarios.
"We're aiming to replicate this approach," stated Army General Charles Flynn, the senior Army commander in the Pacific, in a Reuters interview. He mentioned similar agreements with other nations in the region, although he did not specify which countries.
Reuters' interviews with over two dozen current and former U.S. officials reveal that American military logistics in the Pacific represent a significant vulnerability in any conflict over Taiwan.
U.S. war games suggest that China might target jet fuel supplies or refuelling ships, crippling U.S. air and sea power without engaging heavily armed fighter jets or U.S. warships.
In response, the U.S. is diversifying its military logistics across the region, including establishing warehouses in Australia.
The Pentagon, when queried about these findings, stated that it is collaborating with allies to enhance the mobility and distribution of U.S. forces.
The Chinese embassy in Washington and the Australian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this matter.
However, some critics argue that the U.S. network remains overly centralised and underfunded.
"The intelligence community is issuing stark warnings for the next five years, yet some risk mitigation plans span 10 to 20 years," noted Congressman Mike Waltz, a Republican overseeing a subcommittee on military logistics and readiness. "There's a clear disparity here."
For the U.S. military, supporting Taiwan, just 100 miles from China's coast, presents a formidable challenge. While President Joe Biden has hinted at deploying U.S. troops to defend Taiwan, U.S. officials believe Xi's 2027 target for military readiness may be more of a motivational tool than an invasion timeline.
A senior U.S. military official highlighted the prioritisation of ammunition, fuel, food, and spare parts in the Indo-Pacific region. "Running out of ammunition would be an immediate crisis," the official stated, confirming that plans for a Taiwan contingency are well underway.
U.S. officials acknowledge that in a major conflict, naval vessels could quickly exhaust missile defences.
A recent war game demonstrated the potential for Chinese strikes on U.S. bases in the region, including Okinawa's naval base and Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, underscoring the vulnerability of U.S. logistics hubs.
To mitigate these risks, the U.S. is seeking more secure locations like Australia for equipment stockpiling, alongside expanding cooperation with Philippines, Japan, and other Pacific partners.
In July, the Biden administration announced plans for an interim logistics centre in Bandiana, Australia, aiming for a permanent logistics support area in Queensland.
According to an internal U.S. military document, Bandiana's facilities can accommodate over 300 vehicles and have 800 pallet positions.
Additionally, during Mobility Guardian 23, an Indo-Pacific exercise involving several nations, the U.S. Air Force left equipment in Guam, enhancing disaster relief capabilities and future conflict preparedness, said Air Force Major General Darren Cole.
This marks a shift from the traditional 'just-in-time' logistics model to a more resilient 'just-in-case' approach, acknowledging the heightened risk of mega bases becoming prime targets in a conflict with China.
Despite the Pentagon's annual budget of approximately $842 billion, a Reuters analysis indicates a request for only $2.5 billion between fiscal years 2023 and 2027 for prepositioning equipment and logistics improvements in Asia, in stark contrast to the $11.65 billion requested for similar purposes in Europe post-Crimea annexation.
Moreover, the aging fleet of U.S. transport ships, averaging 44 years, presents another significant challenge.
Senator Roger Wicker, senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, emphasised the need for greater focus on Pacific bases and logistics, noting that the current state of preparedness is insufficient for deterring conflict in the Western Pacific over the next five years.