Indo-Pacific View
Dear Readers,
W
elcome to Indo-Pacific Defense FORUM’s issue on
next-generation threats.
Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, has championed the advancement of new and emerging capabilities, ranging from tools employing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to drone swarms, advanced weapons, and integrated air and missile defense systems. Such developments are changing strategic cooperation, competition and conflict at an astonishing rate, while transforming training, intelligence gathering, influence operations, economic power and military strength. The tempo at which militaries adopt new instruments of warfare that undermine adversary offensive and defensive capabilities is also quickening.
Military applications of these next-generation capabilities are producing defense systems that are faster, more accurate and more powerful, and are enhancing deterrence and security across the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, the rise of such technologies across domains could increase risks of catastrophic miscalculation and escalation.
Articles in this edition of FORUM examine how the United States and its Allies and Partners harness advancements to counter increasing threats to global peace and security. The edition opens with a piece that details how they are collaborating to integrate AI across warfighting domains for analysis, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber and missile defense, logistics, and training. A related article looks at the profound strategic implications of uncrewed aerial, surface and underwater vehicles, or drones, for providing not only intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance, but also deterrence and combat effectiveness. Another article examines how the U.S. and its Allies and Partners are cooperating and expanding partnerships to counter the increasing use of cyberattacks orchestrated by the People’s Republic of China, North Korea and Russia.
In this edition, the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency also provides an overview of initiatives to counter weapons of mass destruction through cooperative programs in the region and globally. The agency, for example, leads projects to empower Indo-Pacific partners to thwart proliferation networks and associated global trafficking of related materials.
We hope these articles encourage conversations on the importance for the U.S. and its Allies and Partners to work collaboratively to counter next-generation threats, using approaches such Paparo’s vision to dominate the future battlespace. Please contact the FORUM staff at ipdf@ipdefenseforum.com to share your thoughts.
All the best,
FORUM Staff