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US-China relations
ChinaDiplomacy

China vs US: beneath the surface of the submarine technology gap

  • US agreement to share nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia is a sign it is stepping up its focus on anti-submarine warfare
  • Hudson Institute reports says submarine threat has risen for the US and its allies, including from PLAN’s drive to modernise its fleet of 65-70 boats

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Analysts say the US Navy’s capabilities in the undersea warfare realm far exceed China’s, but the PLA Navy has spent billions to modernise, advance its technology and close the gap. Photo: Reuters
Sarah Zhengin Beijing

As the US deepens its security focus on the Indo-Pacific region, it has focused on keeping its edge underwater over rivals such as China.

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This includes its plans to share nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia as part of a new trilateral defence partnership that also includes Britain.
Analysts said the US Navy was still well ahead of China in undersea warfare, but that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has spent billions in recent years to narrow the gap.

According to a report this month by the Washington-based Hudson Institute, the submarine threat for the US and its allies has increased substantially, including from the modernisation of the Chinese navy’s fleet of around 65 to 70 submarines.

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The report said China sought to conduct offensive operations as part of an active defence strategy, to expand the country’s influence and territorial control, potentially hindering US forces in the region.

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