U.S. Defense to Counter Chinese Arms Increase

So much for those budget cuts. Just before Defense Secretary Robert Gates flew to Beijing, he told reporters that the Pentagon will amp up its investments in weapons in response to China’s new radar-evading fighter jet and anti-ship ballistic missile—though he said there “is some question about just how stealthy” China’s J-20 jet really is. The Pentagon, Gates said, would resume investment in long-range nuclear-capable bomber aircraft, as well as Navy electronic jammers and the Joint Strike Fighter, a radar-evading fighter jet. Gates will be meeting several military generals and President Hu Jintao in Beijing, but his comments and announcement of weapons funding could impact President Jintao's meeting with President Obama next week.