U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby said Asian allies should increase defense spending to help deter regional aggression [1, 2, 3].
The request signals a shift in how Washington expects its partners to contribute to security in the Indo-Pacific. By calling for higher budgets, the U.S. aims to create a more sustainable and shared burden of deterrence against growing military threats.
Colby spoke at a forum in Manila, Philippines, which served as the first stop on a tour of Southeast Asia [1, 2, 3]. During the event, he said that increasing military expenditures is necessary to counter the growing military power of China [1, 2].
The U.S. official said that regional partners must take a more active role in their own defense to ensure stability [1, 2]. This approach is intended to discourage unilateral actions that could destabilize the region, specifically targeting the buildup of forces by China [2].
While the U.S. remains committed to its security alliances, the call for increased spending suggests that Washington believes current investment levels are insufficient for the evolving threat landscape [1, 2]. The Manila forum provided a platform for Colby to outline these expectations directly to regional stakeholders [3].
This diplomatic push comes as the U.S. continues to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations to create a unified front against regional aggression [1, 2]. The tour is expected to continue across other nations in the region to reinforce these security objectives [1, 3].
“Washington wants its Asian allies to raise defense spending to help deter regional aggression.”
This push for increased defense spending reflects a broader U.S. strategy to distribute the costs of maintaining a balance of power in Asia. By urging allies to invest more in their own militaries, the U.S. seeks to reduce its own relative burden while ensuring that regional partners are capable of providing a credible deterrent against Chinese expansionism.
