House Armed Services hearing: INDOPACOM leaders warn China is pacing threat, urge urgent investment

The House Armed Services Committee heard testimony from Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo‑Pacific Security Affairs John Ngo, U.S. Indo‑Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo and General Brunson, commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, who said U.S. forces must accelerate investments to reestablish deterrence in the Indo‑Pacific.

Committee Chairman Rogers opened the hearing by saying recent Chinese drills “are rehearsals for a future unification,” and he warned the panel that China’s military expansion — including the world’s largest navy and rapid nuclear and hypersonic growth — requires sustained funding. “These rehearsals are backed by real capability,” Chairman Rogers said.

Why it matters: Witnesses described a broad, multi‑domain challenge that spans sea, air, space, cyber and information operations and that includes growing cooperation among China, Russia and North Korea. They told lawmakers that deterrence depends on a mix of hard capabilities (missile defense, long‑range fires, attritable unmanned systems, shipbuilding, and ammunition stockpiles), allied burden‑sharing and changes to the defense industrial base to speed production.

The witnesses recommended a mix of investments and policy changes. Mr. Ngo said the department will “achieve peace through strength” and emphasized working with allies rather than alone. Admiral Paparo said INDOPACOM needs “counter C5ISR and fires, integrated air and missile defense, sustainment and autonomous and AI‑driven systems” to preserve freedom of maneuver. General Brunson framed the Korean Peninsula as directly tied to U.S. national interest and highlighted allied interoperability and joint exercises as deterrent measures.

Members pressed the witnesses on specific shortfalls: shipbuilding capacity and industrial base bottlenecks; replenishing ammunition and long‑range fires; and preparing for modern threats such as hypersonics and advanced missile technologies. Admiral Paparo said the command is “confident, resolute, and determined to prevail” but added “the trajectory must change.”

Lawmakers also pressed witnesses about partnerships and the risks of other government actions that could weaken ties with allies. Several members described recent tariff actions and agency cuts as a potential risk to alliance cohesion; witnesses said those diplomatic and economic actions fall outside DoD’s direct authority but acknowledged the possible strategic effects.

The hearing concluded with calls from committee members for faster acquisition, steadier funding streams, and more rapid reform to reduce bureaucratic barriers to co‑production with allies.

The committee moved to a closed session to discuss classified matters after the public portion of the hearing.