General Ronald Clark, commander of US Army forces in the Indo-Pacific, has called for a more visible demonstration of American military capabilities in the region to strengthen deterrence and reduce the likelihood of conflict. Speaking in an interview, Clark emphasized the importance of revealing sufficient readiness and advanced capabilities during his tenure to dissuade potential adversaries.

Clark leads US Army Pacific, a key element of the broader Indo-Pacific Command, and highlighted the need to showcase “exquisite” military assets as a signal to adversaries, particularly China. This push comes amid heightened concerns over Beijing’s military buildup and assertive stance on Taiwan, which China claims as its territory and has vowed to bring under control by force if necessary.

While the Pentagon has recently moderated its public language regarding China, a policy shift criticized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as “peacocking,” the US military continues to enhance its deterrence efforts. In line with this strategy, US Army Pacific has expanded operations, including temporary deployments of weapons systems to countries such as the Philippines and Japan—areas that would be strategically important in any conflict involving China and Taiwan.

Clark cited the deployment and exercises involving the Typhon missile launch system, which can launch both SM-6 missiles against ships and Tomahawk cruise missiles potentially targeting coastal areas in China. The system has been demonstrated in exercises not only in the Philippines but also in Australia. Additionally, the US Army has utilized the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to underscore the combined military capabilities of the US and its regional partners. Clark referred to a recent exercise in which long-range precision weapons were transported from the US to the Philippines, with ammunition provided from South Korea for live-fire drills—actions deliberately conducted in a transparent manner to signal capability to any viewers.

“You can see it operate and we can do it at scale at a time and place of our choosing. So, you reveal capability in order to give your adversary pause,” Clark explained, underscoring the strategic intent behind these visible military activities.

Clark also addressed concerns among Indo-Pacific allies about US commitment following the often unpredictable rhetoric of former President Donald Trump. He stressed that regional countries recognize the value in strengthening their security partnerships with the United States and that America aims to remain their preferred security partner. Citing Cambodia as an example, Clark noted the unique position of the country, which maintains close ties with China’s military but also has leadership trained at the US Military Academy at West Point. He visited Cambodia early in his command and developed a close relationship with its army chief.

According to Clark, US Army Pacific currently maintains an unprecedented level of activity in the region, with additional divisions, a corps headquarters, and multi-domain formations affording expanded options to support joint operations and enhance deterrence alongside allied forces.