Rings of Fire Act of 2023

The Rings of Fire Act of 2023 requires the U.S. Department of Defense to develop and submit a strategy for deploying conventional ground-based intermediate-range missiles (500-5,500 km) in the Indo-Pacific region within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. The strategy must address capability gaps, identify basing locations, outline operational concepts, and explore co-development with allies like Australia and the UK through existing partnerships (e.g., AUKUS). It directly affects the Secretary of Defense and U.S. military operations in the Indo-Pacific Command area, aiming to counter China’s growing missile arsenal. The bill focuses on concrete policy action - mandating a formal strategy - without specifying final deployment decisions or outcomes.