Navy, Marine Leaders See Ukraine Invasion as a Chance to Prepare for China

Officers and leaders in the maritime services say that they are paying close attention to the Russian invasion of Ukraine but not because of the threat the former Cold War foe poses. They say the conflict will provide key advice about how to deter China.

"The conflict in Ukraine, for me, validates the last couple [national defense strategies]," Gen. David Berger, commandant of the Marine Corps, told an auditorium full of people Monday at the Sea-Air-Space Exposition outside of Washington, D.C.

Berger explained that the conflict in Europe showed him "that you need a really strong land force to deter Russia in Europe." Conversely, in the largely aquatic Indo-Pacific region, the top Marine said that "you need a very strong Navy-Marine Corps team."

Adm. Mike Gilday, the military head of the Navy, cautioned the audience, largely made up of military officers and industry representatives, that "given everything that's going on right now in Europe, I think the three of us in this group say, 'Keep your eye on China.'"

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/04/04/navy-marine-leaders-see-ukraine-invasion-chance-prepare-china.html