When fully dedicated to missile defence, some ships already devote 40% of their power to electrical systems, says Rear-Admiral Philip Cullom, in charge of the navy's fleet readiness.

It recently built at least two Jin-class submarines, the first regularly active ones in the fleet with ballistic missile capabilities, and two more are under construction.

Beijing's aircraft, sensors, ballistic missiles, spacecraft, and fleet and missile defenses have become the standard against which U. S. tactics and technology are measured.