Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has expressed concern about China's military power, saying China's hypersonic missiles could threaten U.S. aircraft carriers by reaching their targets in as little as 20 minutes. That assessment is based on Pentagon war games where Hegseth said the U.S. has repeatedly lost to China, highlighting Beijing's growing threat in hypersonic technology and its ability to strike quickly and with precision.

According to Hegseth, Chinese-made hypersonic missiles pose a particular danger because their high speed and maneuverability make them virtually invulnerable to modern U.S. air defense systems. Hegseth noted that the results of the Pentagon's simulations showed the vulnerability of American aircraft carriers and emphasized the importance of accelerating the development of American technologies to counter this threat. He also pointed to a significant technological gap compared to China, which raises serious concerns among U.S. military experts.

This is not the first time the Pentagon has faced the challenge of China’s growing position in the Asia-Pacific region. Amid growing military and political tensions in the region, especially around Taiwan, the United States continues to modernize its military infrastructure, directing additional forces and resources to the development of missile defense systems and hypersonic technologies. Hegseth’s recent statements only increase attention to a potential confrontation with China, which, in his opinion, requires active measures to reduce the technological gap and protect US strategic assets in the Asia-Pacific region.