Bloomberg: China May Gain Control of South China Sea, U.S. Navy Says

China’s island building program in the South China Sea may result in it gaining control of some of the world’s most important waterways, the U.S.’s most senior military commander for Asia said.

 “If this activity continues at pace, is that it -- those would give them de facto control” of the maritime territory they claim, Admiral Samuel Locklear, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, told the U.S. Senate. Locklear said China could install long-range detection radars, base warships and warplanes on the islands, potentially giving it the ability to enforce an air defense identification zone.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 17, 2015

Beijing Shocks US With Unbelievable Progress of Airstrip in South China Sea -- Sputnik

Images show rapid Chinese progress on new South China Sea airstrip -- Reuters

China warns Japanese air, sea surveillance patrols increasing safety hazards -- RT

China's military warns about corruption on key anniversary -- Reuters

Xi’s Submarine Sale Raises Indian Ocean Nuclear Clash Risk -- Bloomberg

Cost of ISIS war passes $2 billion mark -- The Hill

U.S.: Fall of Ramadi wouldn't doom campaign to push out ISIS -- CNN

Dempsey: Military plans for Iran remain 'intact' -- Military Times

General: Iran military option 'intact' -- The Hill

Israel military networks breached by hackers: researchers -- Reuters

Israel to get first F-35s in 2016 -- IHS Jane's 360

Putin praises Russian defense factories for working at fair pace, with high quality -- ITAR-TASS

Russia to be close to no one in military technical cooperation — Putin -- ITAR-TASS

Russia Threatens NATO Over Missile Shield -- WSJ

Ukraine crisis: 300 US paratroopers arrive in western Ukraine to train national guard, US army says -- ABC News (Australia)

U.S. military trainers in Ukraine may destabilize situation: Kremlin -- Reuters

Congo's military takes on new challenge: caring for army widows -- CSM

Su-22 Fighter Jets Collide Over Vietnam, Fate Of Pilots Unknown -- IBTimes

GOP lawmaker works to save A-10 in defense bill -- The Hill

Any schedule delays would risk US Navy's 'No. 1 acquisition program' -- Washington Business Journal

Navy’s experimental drone submarine readies for West Coast test -- Washington Times

Marines launched a ‘kamikaze’ drone from an Osprey aircraft -- Washington Post

Navy League 2015: Boeing developing kit to upgrade Harpoon missiles for extended range -- IHS Jane's 360

Army approves more benefits for Fort Hood victims -- The Hill

Americans with illegal Iraq War souvenirs go unprosecuted -- AP

Gen. Dempsey named one of '100 Most Influential People' -- The Hill

11 Brothers Accumulate 158 Years of Military Service -- Military.com

Homeland Security chief: Focus on morale hurts morale -- Washington Times/AP

It’s time to reevaluate standards for women in the military -- Dave Kelm, Jayne Lawlor and Nicole Martin, Washington Post

US Will Not Survive a Nuclear War Against Russia - Jean-Paul Baquiast -- Sputnik

Is the Military Dominance of the West Coming to an End? by Mark Urban – review -- Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian