In "US military might ensures Beijing's bark is worse than its bite", Benjamin Herscovitch argues that "the threat of US military involvement to force China to contain its appetite for territorial aggrandisement is prudent policy". But I don't think it is a prudent policy for countries to rely solely on others for their defence and should also take measures for their own protection. Also there is the risk of being caught up in a military adventure which may not be in that country’s interests.

Japan has invested in very credible Soryu-class submarines, Kongo class guided missile destroyers (equipped for ballistic missile defence), Izumo-class helicopter carriers (named "destroyers" in Japan for political reasons) and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft (the F-35B could operate from the carriers, if politics allowed). Other countries, including Australia, have made similar purchases of ships, submarines and aircraft.