WASHINGTON
Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), delivered a sobering warning to Congress, cautioning that China’s military remains a profound and growing threat even as American resources are heavily diverted to “Operation Epic Fury” in Iran. During his testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Paparo stressed that while the U.S. is engaged in the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific remains the “decisive theater” for American security.
The primary concern among lawmakers is the rapid depletion of the U.S. “magazine depth.” Estimates suggest the war against Tehran is costing nearly $1 billion per day, consuming finite stocks of precision-guided missiles and munitions that would be vital in a conflict over Taiwan. Admiral Paparo admitted there are “finite limits” to current stockpiles, though he maintained confidence that resources are being used judiciously. Senator Richard Blumenthal was more blunt, describing the erosion of Pacific-based assets, such as the relocation of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a “tremendous concern.”
Despite the strain, Paparo framed the Iran conflict as a “deterrence demonstration,” arguing that U.S. forces will return to the Pacific better trained. However, he did not ignore the alarming scale of China’s own buildup. He noted that since early 2024, Chinese industry has delivered twelve submarines, an aircraft carrier, and nearly twenty major surface combatants, a pace far outstripping American production.
The Admiral concluded by calling for an urgent industrial mobilization, specifically for long-range anti-ship missiles and high-tech drones. He warned that China is currently rehearsing “forced unification” with Taiwan through aggressive pressure operations. As the U.S. balances two fronts, Paparo’s message was clear: the investments made today will determine whether the U.S. can prevent a future war in Asia or be forced to fight one under “suboptimal conditions.”