China is developing new submarines capable of targeting most of the United States
China is building new submarines capable of launching ballistic missiles with greater range and accuracy. According to US military estimates, this will allow Beijing to threaten most of the US territory even when operating near its own coastline. This was reported by the WSJ.
Representatives of the US Navy spoke about the development of Chinese submarine forces during hearings at the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in Congress.
US Navy Submarine Force Commander Vice Admiral Richard Seif stated in a statement submitted to the hearings that the growth of China's submarine capabilities poses a serious challenge. According to him, the new next-generation submarines are equipped with advanced technologies that could challenge the US Navy's long-standing dominance underwater.
Separately, Director of Naval Intelligence Rear Admiral Mike Brooks noted in his testimony that the Chinese navy's submarine forces could pose a real challenge to US regional maritime dominance by 2040.
According to him, China has significantly increased its submarine production capabilities. Production rates have increased from less than one nuclear submarine per year to significantly higher levels.
According to Brooks, the modernisation of shipbuilding infrastructure will allow China to create a larger and more survivable fleet of ballistic missile submarines capable of operating closer to the Chinese coast while threatening US territory.
One of the new generation submarines is called Type 096. It is expected to be equipped with ballistic missiles capable of striking a significant part of the United States from so-called protected waters that China can defend.
Current Chinese ballistic missile submarines can only strike part of the US from the so-called first island chain, which includes the archipelagos of Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
The Pentagon estimates that by 2035, China could have a fleet of about 80 submarines. About half of them will be nuclear-powered. Currently, China is estimated to have more than 60 submarines, most of which are diesel-powered.
Analysts note that China is actively modernising its submarine fleet. New submarines are becoming quieter, faster and capable of staying underwater longer, and can carry more modern weapons and sensors.
The development of the submarine fleet is seen as part of a large-scale modernisation of the Chinese armed forces being carried out by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. One of its goals is to create a powerful ocean-going fleet.
China currently has the world's largest navy in terms of the number of ships. At the same time, experts believe that the Chinese navy is not yet on par with the American navy in terms of its capabilities in the world's oceans, particularly due to the US's superiority in submarine warfare.
The United States is trying to strengthen its shipbuilding capabilities and is forming new defence alliances. In 2021, the US, the UK and Australia formed the AUKUS defence pact, which provides for assistance to Australia in the creation of nuclear submarines.
According to Brooks, by 2040, the Chinese navy could expand its regular submarine operations far beyond its own waters, particularly in the Indian Ocean, the Arctic and the Atlantic Ocean.
China is also investing in seabed sensors, submarine cables and unmanned systems. Such technologies are intended to improve submarine detection capabilities and create additional difficulties for US and allied military operations in the event of a conflict.
