Speaking to reporters on his way to Australia, new US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said that he would like to see the deployment within months, but did not specify an exact timeline, the types of weapons and where exactly they would be positioned.
Experts said Asian allies such as Japan and Australia, as well as the U.S. territory of Guam, were among possible deployment sites. Esper's remarks were likely to raise tensions with Beijing and add to fears of a new arms race involving the U.S., China and Russia. Esper chose Asia for his first trip since taking office on July 23 to affirm US's commitment to the region.
