TLDR: US Navy Gets Combat Experience Against Threats China Relies On

The US Navy has gained valuable combat experience against the kind of threats that China relies on in the Pacific. In recent weeks, the Navy has been shooting down anti-ship ballistic missiles fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Middle East. These missiles, while not as sophisticated as Chinese anti-ship missiles, are providing critical battle experience to American warship crews.

Key Points:

• The US Navy has recently engaged in combat against anti-ship ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels in the Middle East.
• The engagements are giving American warship crews valuable combat experience that could be used in a potential war with China.

The Houthi rebels have fired dozens of anti-ship ballistic missiles into waters off the coast of Yemen, often forcing the US Navy to respond. While the Chinese and Houthi missiles vary in capability, the engagements are considered real combat operations and not training exercises.

China has a formidable arsenal of anti-ship ballistic missiles, such as the DF-21D and DF-26, which could pose a major threat to US naval forces in a potential conflict in the Pacific. The recent engagements in the Middle East are helping American warship crews gain real-life combat experience that could be valuable in any future conflict.

Experts have said that the maritime domain would likely be a key battleground between the US and China in the event of a war in the Indo-Pacific region, making anti-ship capabilities a critical factor. China’s anti-ship ballistic missiles have more advanced guidance systems compared to the Houthi missiles, giving them greater accuracy and precision.

The current engagements in the Middle East are giving American warship crews an opportunity to refine their processes, procedures, and decision-making in combat situations. Regardless of the type of threat they are facing, the crew’s course of action remains consistent in terms of identifying and engaging potential threats.

Overall, the combat experience gained by the US Navy against Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles is helping prepare them for potential future conflicts with China in the Pacific. The lessons learned from these engagements will be valuable in enhancing the capabilities of American warship crews.