Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

USMC must transform to compete with China

15th May 2020 - 00:00 GMT | by The Geobukseon in Indo-Pacific

RSS

The US Marine Corps has a long and storied history in the Pacific, but the rise of China’s military is forcing the corps to either react dramatically or risk irrelevancy in the Asia-Pacific region.

In World War II, the USMC fought bitter engagements across numerous atolls and islands as part of the Pacific campaign. Indeed, names such as Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa are forever written in blood in corps lore.

Yet those bloody assaults across bullet-lashed beaches are consigned to history for the USMC. New weapons such as cruise missiles, long-range anti-ship missiles, guided

Already have an account? Log in

Want to keep reading this article?

Author

The Geobukseon

Cracking open the hard shell of defence and security policy within the Asia Pacific , The Geobukseon …

Read full bio

More from Defence Notes

Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts

More than 40,000 military personnel from 19 participating nations took part in the 11th iteration of the biennial Exercise Talisman Sabre multi-domain event which was held across Australia and in Papua New Guinea.
US Africa Command targets logistic solutions

AFRICOM is seeking IT systems and supply chain management solutions to enhance interoperability and standardise logistical processes in its area of responsibility.
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending

Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave

Vehicle and technology companies are reporting substantial growth compared to the first half of 2024. Italy’s Fincantieri saw revenues jump 24% for the first half of the year compared to 2024 and Thales up 6.8% for the same period. General Dynamics reported second quarter revenue growth of 8.9% for the second quarter compared to last year and MilDef reported organic order intake growth of 58%.
Singapore plots a way forward with new technology and formation reform

Singapore spends about 3.5% of GDP on defence and the section’s budget sits on high on the proportion of national spending. The country is investing in uncrewed technology, medium- and long-range fires and new submarines and ships with the hunt also on for new maritime patrol aircraft.
World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026

At this year's IDEF in Istanbul, Shephard spoke to World Defense Show (WDS) CEO Andrew Pearcey about his event's strategic role in Saudi Arabia, its themes and new features for 2026 and how it has grown since its launch in 2022.