US Carriers ‘Vulnerable’ to China, Pentagon Leak Warns as Island Strategy Expands

The Pentagon has warned that US aircraft carriers are growing more vulnerable to China’s new long‑range weapons. The warning comes from a leaked assessment reported by major outlets including Reuters. The report was created this year and focuses on rising risks in the Indo‑Pacific. It says China’s hypersonic missiles and drone systems can now threaten US naval forces at far greater ranges.

The United States is now expanding its island strategy in the region. It is upgrading airfields and bases across the western Pacific to limit China’s reach and reduce risk to US forces.

US Carriers Vulnerable in Fast‑Shifting Indo-Pacific

The Pentagon document says China’s missiles can reach key US assets in the Pacific. According to Reuters, US planners fear that carriers may not survive a first strike in a future war. This concern has grown as China fields more missile launchers and long‑range drones. US officials say the threat is now “serious and sustained.”

Washington is responding with a wide island network. This includes upgrades on Tinian, Palau, Yap, and bases in the Philippines. The United States is also building facilities on Australia’s Cocos Islands. These sites give the US more places to launch aircraft and disperse forces. Each site acts like an “unsinkable carrier,” a phrase used by US defense planners.

The move is meant to counter China’s A2/AD strategy. This strategy uses missiles, sensors, and aircraft to keep US forces far from China’s coastline. The United States fears this could block a US response in a Taiwan crisis. The expanded network is meant to complicate China’s targeting and keep US options open.

How the Island Network Changes the Strategic Balance

The new island chain will spread US aircraft and troops across a wide area. This reduces the risk of a single devastating strike. It also creates more launch points for US fighters and bombers. Defense analysts say the plan reflects lessons from both the Pacific War and recent missile conflicts.

According to AP News, US commanders have pushed for this shift since 2020. They say the Indo‑Pacific must be harder to target and more flexible. The Cocos Islands are especially important. They sit near key shipping lanes and give the US access to the eastern Indian Ocean. This region is critical for trade and military mobility.

The upgrades also help US allies. The Philippines gains new joint sites. Palau and Yap get modern runways. Australia gains stronger links with US forces. This shared network improves coordination and shows a unified response to China’s rise. It also acts as a clear signal that the US is not leaving the western Pacific.

Regional Impact and Long-Term Outlook

The broader region may see more military flights and exercises. Some nations welcome this as a counterweight to China. Others worry it could raise tensions. But the Pentagon says the plan is defensive. It says US carriers and troops must stay safe to keep peace in the region.

Many experts expect faster expansion in 2026. They say the US wants the full network ready before any major crisis. The leaked report shows how urgent the shift has become. It also shows that China’s missile gains now shape nearly every US military plan in Asia.

The Pentagon leak confirms the United States sees its carriers at real risk. The island strategy is now a core part of US policy. It may define Indo‑Pacific security for years as both nations compete for advantage.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: Why are US carriers vulnerable now?

China has built long‑range missiles that can hit carriers farther out at sea. The Pentagon says these weapons reduce the safety margin for US ships. This raises the risk in any conflict.

Q2: What is the US island strategy?

The United States is upgrading runways and bases across the Pacific. This spreads out US aircraft and forces. It makes US assets harder to target.

Q3: Which islands are part of the plan?

Tinian, Palau, Yap, and Philippine sites are key. The Cocos Islands in Australia are also included. These locations offer better reach and safer basing.

Q4: How does this affect Taiwan tensions?

The network gives the US more ways to respond. It complicates China’s plans to block US forces. Analysts say it could slow or deter a conflict.

Q5: What are China’s A2/AD systems?

These are weapons and sensors designed to keep enemies out of a region. They include missiles, drones, and radar networks. China uses them to control space around its coast.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, AP News, BBC