Pentagon Official's Revelation Causes Stir: US Weaknesses Make It Easy for China and Russia to Strike
A senior Pentagon official delivered a shocking admission to lawmakers that the United States currently lacks sufficient defences to counter advanced hypersonic weapons possessed by Russia and China. This statement serves as a stark warning to Washington regarding the vulnerability of their national security systems to modern missile technologies from their rivals.
Citing Russia Today on Tuesday (28/04/2026), Assistant Secretary of the Army for Space Policy, Marc Berkowitz, revealed during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Monday (27/04/2026) that the current homeland defence system is severely limited. He stated that the existing systems are specifically designed to address small-scale attacks from “rogue states”.
“This country would face serious problems against ballistic missiles and currently has no defence against hypersonic weapons or cruise missiles,” Berkowitz said.
This situation has led the Pentagon to urge the acceleration of funding for the “Golden Dome” missile defence system programme. This initiative was previously launched by President Donald Trump immediately after taking office in January 2025, with the aim of expanding defence capabilities both on land and in space.
The Trump administration has proposed a large-scale investment estimated to cost around US$175 billion (Rp 3,019.2 trillion) to US$185 billion (Rp 3,191.8 trillion) over the next decade. This ambitious project is expected to close the security gaps that have long been a concern for the US military.
Michael Guetlein, who leads the Golden Dome programme within the US Space Force, testified that both China and Russia are continuously modernising their arsenals on a massive scale. He paid particular attention to the deployment of hypersonic glide vehicles and the development of Russia’s Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, which can manoeuvre in the atmosphere.
“These systems are designed to challenge our sensor tracking and engagement capabilities and ensure responsive and survivable strike capabilities,” Guetlein said.
On the other hand, Moscow asserts that the development of these strategic weapons is a response to the United States’ withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty during the era of President George W. Bush. Although Washington claims its defence systems are only aimed at threats such as North Korea or Iran, Russia still views them as a threat to global nuclear balance.
Pressure on the US defence system is increasingly felt amid the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran. Internal reports indicate that interceptor missile stocks for the THAAD and Patriot systems have been completely depleted and will require years to restore to safe levels.