World · 19 d ago
The US Navy rebuilds Pearl Harbor to prepare for a possible war with China
Shipyard investment over 50 years
200 US$ billion
The US Navy plans to invest up to US$200 billion over 50 years to modernize its main shipyards, starting at Pearl Harbor, the largest project in its history.
The new weapon
Hypersonic missile
A new dry dock will let the base service Virginia-class submarines, which can launch hypersonic missiles flying faster than 6,000 km/h.
China has the world's largest hypersonic arsenal, and the US military admits it is catching up; its Pacific commander, Admiral Samuel Paparo, told senators last spring the navy lacks ships.
Why it matters
The goal is deterrence, says Alexander Vuving, a professor at a US defence institute in Honolulu: showing China the US can use force, for example if China attacked Taiwan.
