ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Indo-Pacific

Conflict with China will be on land, not just at sea: US general

Top weapons strategist says Beijing has advanced beyond a 'regional' threat

A U.S. cavalry regiment conducts live-fire gunnery qualification at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho: The Indo-Pacific Command, often considered a maritime theater, covers 2.7 billion sq. km of land and 50% of the world's population. (Photo by U.S. Army)

WASHINGTON -- While Chinese President Xi Jinping pressed for a "good start" in his country's military development and combat readiness at the just-concluded National People's Congress, another military planner across the globe pushes for a "modernization to overmatch" the People's Liberation Army, insisting that land warfare -- and not just naval combat -- will be decisive in the China-centric Indo-Pacific theater.

"They're going to use every arrow in their quiver," Maj. Gen. Richard Coffman, director of the U.S. Army Futures Command's Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Cross-Functional Team, said Wednesday at a webinar held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Coffman focused his comments on a possible conflict with the PLA, which he cited as the "pacing threat" facing the U.S.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more