SCSPI think tank says US may adopt primary approach of drones or autonomous weapons to address ‘quantity anxiety’ in the contested waters.
A report by SCSPI indicates the US maintained a high-intensity military presence in the South China Sea in 2024, despite conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, with increased activity levels. However, "island-intrusive" FONOPs and Taiwan Strait transits decreased, and provocative aerial reconnaissance missions stagnated. The US is leveraging the Philippines for increased deployments.
