Giving Our “Paper Tiger” Real Teeth: Fixing the U.S. Military’s Plans for Contested Logistics Against China

Contested Logistics - Editor's note: article originally appeared on the Official National Defense University website

This article explores the growing concerns about the U.S. military's ability to deter or win a conflict with China in the Western Pacific, focusing on the role of logistics in future military success. China's advanced missile systems pose a significant threat to the U.S.'s traditional deployment strategies, leading the Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force to adopt dispersed operations to enhance survivability. These strategies have proven logistically unsustainable due to their high resource demands and coordination challenges. The article also highlights technological innovations, such as sea-based resupply, additive manufacturing, alternative energy sources, and AI, which offer potential logistical improvements. However, delays in implementation, limited joint integration, and reliance on complex weapons systems have reduced their effectiveness. The article argues that logistics will be the key determinant of success in any U.S.-China conflict. It calls for a joint-force approach to logistics, better alignment between combat and support cultures, and the strengthening of logistical command structures. The U.S. military must address logistical gaps now to avoid becoming a "paper tiger" in the face of China's rising military power.

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