Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, has revealed a strategy to deter China from invading Taiwan. This strategy, known as the ‘Hellscape,’ involves deploying thousands of unmanned surface ships, aerial drones, and submarines to surround the island. The goal is to make it difficult for China to cross over into the Taiwan Strait and buy time for the US to respond. The strategy relies heavily on the Replicator initiative, a long-term plan to field thousands of autonomous systems. China has prioritized enhancing its military strength, with an estimated annual defense budget of $700 billion.