Posted on 02/06/2014 9:57:17 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
The Chinese are preparing to deploy submarines armed with nuclear missiles that will patrol the northern Pacific Ocean and come within range of at least two US states, according to a new report from the US Navy.
The US Naval Institute (USNI) reported that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has tapped the Jin-class nuclear ballistic submarines to begin patrols in 2014. The subs will carry intercontinental range missiles that are thought to have a range of no less than 14,000 kilometers (8,699 miles) and can deliver a single or multiple warheads.
“With a range in excess of 4,000 [nautical miles], the JL-2 submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM), will enable the JIN to strike Hawaii, Alaska and possibly western portions of CONUS from East Asian waters,” Office of Naval Intelligence Officer Jesse Karotkin wrote in his testimony last month to the US China Economic Security Review Commission.
The new Jin-class Type 094 submarines are a technological marvel when compared to the Type 092 class that the PLAN has traditionally relied upon. Weighing 11,000 tons when fully submerged, the Navy sees this development as proof that the Chinese “want to get more on par with Western countries.”
“The three JIN [ballistic missile submarines] currently in service would be insufficient to maintain a constant at-sea presence for extended periods of time, but if the PLA Navy builds five units as some sources suggest, a continuous peacetime presence may become a viable option for the PLAN,” Karotkin noted.
Karotkin explained in his report that a number of factors have forced China to modernize its Navy, which now has more than 60 submarines, 55 medium and large amphibious ships, roughly 77 principal surface ships, and nearly 100 other small craft.
“At the dawn of the 21st Century, the People’s Liberation Army Navy remained a largely littoral force. Though China’s maritime interests were rapidly changing, the vast majority of its naval platforms offered very limited capability and endurance, particularly in blue water. Over the past 15 years the PLAN has carried out an ambitious modernization effort, resulting in a more technologically advanced and flexible force,” he wrote, as quoted by USNI.org.
“This transformation is evident not only in the PLAN’s gulf of Aden counter-piracy presence, which is now in its sixth year, but also in the navy’s more advanced regional operations and exercises. In contrast to its narrow focus a decade ago, the PLAN is evolving to meet a wide range of missions including conflict with Taiwan, enforcement of maritime claims, protection of economic interests, as well as counter-piracy and humanitarian missions.”
China also proved it has updated other military forces last month when, according to the Pentagon, the PLAN flight-tested a hypersonic missile delivery vehicle capable of penetrating any existing defense system with nuclear warheads. The weapon is one that experts have hailed as a game-changer for its ability to hit a target with a nuclear warhead before defense systems can react.
The Pentagon confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon that the test flight had taken place but offered no further explanation. The US is the only country in the world known to have such a weapon in its arsenal.
“We routinely monitor foreign defense activities and we are aware of the test,” a spokesman said.
With China, it is still by and large a Cold War situation, since MAD is going to be plenty effective for China and the US. Of course, that is probably a very different story for other nations and organizations the Chinese may be tempted sell or even hand over nukes to.
I want to think we have missile carrying subs off the coast of China, but with the Obungler, those subs probably got re positioned off the coast of Greenland now. You know those Greenlanders are pretty warlike. That nut case in the White Hut, is more likely to launch nuclear weapons at Tea Party strongholds, than our true enemies.
Thank you, Bill Clinton!
The man hasn't been President in 13 years but he's still designing nuclear submarines for the Chinese. Do you know they didn't have paper, gunpowder or adding machines until he game them to them?
Wow! That was an incredibly stupid comment.
There was a famous exchange between Nixon and Mao which went like this:
Mao: So you nuke us and kill 300 million, then we nuke you and kill 300 million of you also. You have no population left, we still have 300 million people.
MAD is not a calculation for the Chinese with an indigenous population nearly 5 times larger than the US.
China is the world’s second largest economy and they’ve been a nuclear power since 1964. The ability of China to produce a missile submarine capable of firing a missile at Hawaii is not only not surprising to me, but not very interesting.
Who cares if they have a submarine? They would not have guidance systems for ICBMs or MIRVs if Clinton hadn't arranged the transfer of the technology.
Did Bill sign your knee pads?
Hey, I always thought you were charming, but I guess I was wrong.
Who cares if they have a submarine?
Portugal, Algeria and Ukraine all have submarines. And North Korea has more subs than China has. It would be remarkable if the world's second largest economy didn't have a missile sub with a missile capable of hitting an island in the middle of the Pacific. For what it's worth, modern Chinese land-based ICBMs are more than capable of hitting any point in the US. I'm not sure what extra edge a minimally capable submarine-based deterrent offers.
They would not have guidance systems for ICBMs or MIRVs if Clinton hadn't arranged the transfer of the technology.
Maybe they wouldn't have had them in 1996 or whenever, but they would have in 1997 or 1998. C'mon - the Chinese aren't cavemen, they're an advanced world power. I'm sure they don't mind shortcuts, but if the US and the Russians and the British and the French and the Indians, etc. could figure out how to build a halfway decent guidance system, I'm sure they can too. Same goes for MIRVing.
Triple down on the stupid. I am charming but I don't suffer fools lightly.
You're obviously not only a kook but one incapable of actually discussing an issue civilly.
How quiet is a Jin-class nuclear ballistic submarine?
5.56mm
In your ridiculous ravings, which excuse Bill Clinton’s treason, lie nothing worth discussing civilly or in any other manner. It would be more profitable to discuss physics with a basset hound.
Huh? Pop a Thorazine buddy.
Can you really spare any?
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