U.S. military officials wary of China's expanding fleet of submarines

bolo121 · 02-08-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

"China now has more submarines than Russia, and the speed they are building them is amazing," Chang said.
U.S. and other Western military analysts estimate that China now has more than 30 advanced and increasingly stealthy submarines, along with dozens of older, obsolete types. "China is capable of serial production of modern diesel-electric submarines and is moving forward with new nuclear submarines," the Pentagon said last year in its annual report on the Chinese military.

By the end of the decade, experts say, China will have more submarines than the United States, although it will still lag in overall capability.

In a conflict, these Chinese submarines - many armed with state-of-the-art torpedoes and anti-ship missiles - would sharply increase the threat to enemy warships approaching the strategically important waterways of North Asia, according to security experts.

On a visit to China last month, the senior U.S. military commander in Asia, Admiral Timothy Keating, said the Pentagon was continuing to monitor the development of China's area-denial weapons, including submarines.

"Chinese submarines have very impressive capabilities, and their numbers are increasing," Keating told reporters in Beijing. Like other U.S. commanders, he also called on China to be more open about its plans.

U.S. military officials wary of China's expanding fleet of submarines - International Herald Tribune

Bella · 02-09-2008, 00:55 AM

But isn't true that most of these subs are only for defensive measures, and not for blue water capability? It kinda sounds like the Chinese are trying to manufacture as many diesel subs for an, "UP AND COMING", war with Taiwan, to threaten a U.S. threat. I don't know....

**Officer of Engineers** · 02-09-2008, 01:04 AM

The theory is that as long as the USN is hunting and killing PLAN subs, it would not be in a position to kill the PLA landing force on Taiwan.

Bella · 02-09-2008, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

The theory is that as long as the USN is hunting and killing PLAN subs, it would not be in a position to kill the PLA landing force on Taiwan.

I agree!! The U.S. has been in the Sub business for over half a century.

02-09-2008, 01:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Officer of Engineers Moderator Scotch taster Join Date: 08-06-03 Posts: 15,688 Country:	The theory is that as long as the USN is hunting and killing PLAN subs, it would not be in a position to kill the PLA landing force on Taiwan. __________________ Chimo

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02-09-2008, 00:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bella Patron Join Date: 09-03-07 Location: Chicago Posts: 284 Country:	But isn't true that most of these subs are only for defensive measures, and not for blue water capability? It kinda sounds like the Chinese are trying to manufacture as many diesel subs for an, "UP AND COMING", war with Taiwan, to threaten a U.S. threat. I don't know....

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