China is America’s Military Equal Now And In Any Future Fight, Marine General Warns
Summary
Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, the USMC Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, delivered a stark warning at the 2026 Modern Day Marine Expo, rejecting the commonly used "near-peer" label for China and asserting that Beijing has already achieved full military parity with the United States across virtually every measure of national power and influence. Drawing on his experience as former Deputy Commander of U.S. INDOPACOM, Sklenka emphasized that China's industrial and military buildup — including shipbuilding capacity reportedly 230 times that of the U.S., rapidly expanding nuclear stockpiles, and advanced drone and AI warfare capabilities — reflects a nation on an explicit wartime footing under Xi Jinping's leadership. The general used the ongoing conflict with Iran, referred to as "Epic Fury," as a cautionary reference point, noting that even a mid-tier power like Iran has demonstrated the ability to hold a vastly superior U.S. force at risk through drone and missile strikes, and that a conflict with China would present exponentially greater challenges. Sklenka also raised urgent concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. military installations, arguing that bases must now be treated as active warfighting formations rather than secure administrative hubs, as adversaries have clearly demonstrated the ability to strike them effectively. He concluded that the ability to mobilize, deploy, and sustain forces from those installations will ultimately determine the outcome of any future great power conflict.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Lt. Gen. Sklenka firmly rejects the "near-peer" characterization of China, stating that Beijing already rivals the U.S. in nearly every domain of national power, making it a true peer competitor rather than merely an emerging one
- 2. China's massive industrial and military buildup — including shipbuilding capacity 230 times that of the U.S., doubled nuclear submarine construction, expanding missile arsenals, and the world's fastest-growing nuclear stockpile — reflects a nation deliberately preparing for large-scale conflict
- 3. The ongoing conflict with Iran ("Epic Fury") serves as a sobering preview, demonstrating how even a mid-tier power can inflict significant damage on U.S. forces and allies through drone swarms, ballistic missiles, and economic pressure tactics like closing the Strait of Hormuz
- 4. U.S. military installations, both at home and abroad, must be reconceptualized as frontline warfighting formations rather than secure rear-area bases, as adversaries have already proven capable of striking them with precision and frequency
- 5. Sklenka warns that no advancements in weaponry, AI, or military technology will matter if U.S. forces cannot successfully mobilize and deploy from their own installations, making base readiness and survivability a critical strategic priority