The US needs allies to help build a naval coalition if it wants to stand a fighting chance against China’s massive fleet, retired admiral says [Video]

The US needs to build a coalition of allies if it hopes to stand a chance against China’s fast-growing navy, says retired US Navy Adm. James Stavridis.

“Today, China’s fleet of at least 350 warships outnumbers America’s of 290,” Stavridis, a former NATO commander, wrote in a Bloomberg op-ed on Wednesday.

“Given the global demands on the US fleet and the fact that any combat in the South China Sea would take place in the shadow of the Chinese mainland — in effect, a massive and unsinkable aircraft carrier — the US must pursue a coalition strategy to balance the numbers,” he added.

In his op-ed, Stavridis said the US could start by corralling its treaty allies — Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. The US, Stavridis wrote, could also partner with friendly nations like Singapore, Vietnam, and India.

The coalition could “come together for major maritime exercises in the South …