US Army: We face a 'gigantic problem' with logistics in the Indo-Pacific.

Sputnik - Citing China as a "threat," senior U.S. military officials emphasize the arduous task of building and sustaining their forces in the Indo-Pacific.

 The US military needs to change its logistics approach and prepare to send a large number of troops and equipment to the Indo-Pacific amid the growing threat posed by China, several senior US officials were quoted as saying on Wednesday (29) by the Defense News portal.

 "It's a gigantic problem, especially in that priority theater [of operations]," said General James Rainey, head of the U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC), during a conference in Washington, D.C.

 The U.S. Army Corps of Forces (AFC) and Army Materiel Command (AMC) are currently developing a strategy and development plan for a system to mobilize troops and equipment in a conflict environment—that is, a scenario in which it is impossible to operate freely without interference from adversaries, Rainey explained.

 The agencies' efforts are focused on areas such as acquiring new capabilities, working with the industrial base, operational communication lines, increasing effectiveness, the survivability of deployed formations, and improving logistical support, Rainey said.

 "It's probably the most difficult fight to sustain, based solely on the geographical distances and the enormous amount of water involved," assessed Lieutenant General Christopher Mohan, deputy commander of the AMC.

 According to Mohan, the American military has learned and demonstrated through its support for Ukraine that it is capable of moving munitions and equipment shipments rapidly around the world, and is now considering modernizing its stockpile layout, prioritizing "smaller and more dispersed locations."

 To that end, the U.S. Army is working to improve the predictability and accuracy of logistics by enhancing the process of collecting data on the condition of weapons, equipment, and parts, Mohan added. He noted that automating some of the processes would speed up deliveries to where they are needed.

 The lieutenant general also highlighted that one of the main tasks is to ensure the real-time flow of logistical information in conflict conditions, giving as an example the incorporation of artificial intelligence in process automation, which includes the automatic dispatch of resupply parts and instructions to mechanics in response to the indication of a technical failure in a battle tank.

 These plans do not imply a diversion of attention from Europe and the conflict in Ukraine, but they will mean that more and more budgetary decisions will be made based on the "growing threat," Mohan noted, referring to China.