Russia, China trying to close technology gap with US: Carter

Russia and China are pursuing military modernisation programmes to close the technology gap with the US, America's top defence official warned today, as he pushed for developing next generation capabilities.
"Today, we need to innovate, not only to continue to attract the best people, but to develop the next generation of capabilities. Our technology remains the best," US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said at the Air Force Association.
At the same time, he said, the US can not ignore the overall trend: High-end military technologies long possessed by only the most advanced foes are finding their way into the hands of both non-state actors and previously much less- capable militaries.

"It's evident that nations like Russia and China have been pursuing military modernisation programmes to close the technology gap with the United States. They're developing platforms designed to thwart our traditional advantages of power projection and freedom of movement," he said.
He said the two nations are developing and fielding new and advanced aircraft and ballistic, cruise, anti-ship and anti-air missiles that are longer-range and more accurate.
Just as Russia and China have advanced cyber capabilities and strategies ranging from stealthy network penetration to intellectual property theft, criminal and terrorist networks are increasing their cyber operations, he warned.
Low-cost and global proliferation of malware have lowered barriers to entry and made it easier for smaller malicious actors to strike in cyberspace, the Defense Secretary said.

"From cyber, to electronic warfare, to threats in outer space and under the sea, we need to redouble our focus on these frontiers," he said, adding that the US needs to invest in new technology, new partnerships, and new innovation for this new environment.