Pentagon draws up shopping list to meet future adversaries

Published: Jan 24, 2006
Source: news.ft.com



The Pentagon sees a growing need for unmanned aerial drones, special forces, measures to counter biological attacks and an expanded range of weapons to deal with potential adversaries such as China, according to a draft report.

A recent draft of the Quadrennial Defence Review, which outlines future threats to the US and the measures and weapons needed to counter them, and obtained by the trade journal Inside Defense, says the Pentagon wants to develop an expanded range of conventional and non-conventional weapons to deal with countries at a “strategic crossroads”.

“To help shape the choices of countries at strategic crossroads, strengthen deterrence and hedge against future strategic uncertainly, the [Pentagon] will develop a wider range of conventional and non-kinetic deterrent options while maintaining a robust nuclear deterrent,” it says.continue..