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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has expressed serious concerns regarding China's sophisticated hypersonic missile technology, specifically the DF-17 and DF-27, cautioning that these weapons could potentially incapacitate the entire US aircraft carrier fleet within a mere 20 minutes.
Hegseth emphasized that China's hypersonic missile stockpile represents a considerable strategic danger.
The US Navy's dependence on aircraft carriers, which are vital to its global military operations, is increasingly threatened by these missiles, capable of exceeding speeds of Mach 5 and proving challenging to intercept.
He pointed out that in every Pentagon war simulation, the US has been outmatched by China, a situation he attributes to bureaucratic inefficiencies in the development of US weaponry.
Additionally, China has expanded its influence over the Panama Canal, a crucial trade artery for the US, by taking control of adjacent ports and investing in infrastructure since Panama established diplomatic relations with China instead of Taiwan in 2017.
A recent agreement between the US and Panama seeks to enhance security at the canal through collaborative military efforts.
The Pentagon's report highlights China's preeminent hypersonic capabilities, which can target foreign military bases and fleets, representing a significant strategic challenge.
While the US is in the process of developing its own hypersonic weapons, critics contend that these systems lack clear mission objectives and may not represent the most economically viable option.