TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China’s rapid submarine buildup and expanding military presence in the Indo-Pacific have prompted a new arms race with the US, which seeks to maintain its underwater superiority.
China is developing the Type 095 nuclear-powered submarine, which is expected to have a vertical missile launch system, per a Wall Street Journal report.
It has enhanced its diesel-electric Yuan-class submarines with air-independent propulsion technology, making them quieter and extending their time underwater. China also continues to produce conventional subs, which are cheaper and faster to make.
China has the advantage in submarine production, but progress has slowed after a prototype sank last year, WSJ said.
If China invaded Taiwan, it would likely use conventional submarines to defend its coast while deploying nuclear attack subs to prevent US forces from intervening. Conversely, the US Navy could use its submarines to hunt down and destroy Chinese naval assets.
American subs could trap Chinese ships in the Taiwan Strait to prevent an encirclement of Taiwan. They could also launch missile attacks against Chinese land targets and cut off supply shipments by closing nearby shipping lanes.
“Submarines are very valuable because they are a relatively light-footprint way to project significant power,” Jennifer Kavanagh, a senior fellow and director of military analysis at the Defense Priorities think tank, told WSJ.
Despite China’s major strides in sub development, the US still has a technological edge, according to WSJ. Its subs are quieter and more advanced, and upgrades are coming for its nuclear fleet.
Newly built Virginia-class attack submarines will be equipped with a noise-reducing propulsion system and enhanced hull coating that make them stealthier. Their payload capacity will also be larger, increasing their lethality.
“We are making historic investments in our undersea warfare capabilities,” said Commander Rick Moore, a Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet spokesman. The fleet operates underwater drones and sensors and is incorporating AI in its submarines and unmanned platforms, Moore said.
US President Donald Trump has prioritized shipbuilding, but capacity is limited. The first Columbia-class submarine is expected two years later than scheduled, in 2029. Meanwhile, production of the next-generation attack sub, the SSN(X), will not begin until the early 2040s.
Maintenance backlogs, which can delay deployments, are another major concern. These issues make it difficult for the US and its allies to counter China’s military expansion in the Indo-Pacific, WSJ said.
