Our nuclear subs are quieter and go 35+ knots under water. I'll stand by my statement they won't last ten minuyes in a shooting war. That doesn't give them enough time to fire off those cruise missles.
Thread from last year dealing with diesel subs.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1066829/posts
Post #10 references the Aussies using a diesel in war games with the US and sunk an LA class attack boat.
I know how fast our subs go and I know of their capabilites. They are dominant in blue water without equal. Litoral waters are a different matter, particularly when there is signifant land based air cover. Not that we would lose at all...just that the threat and danger go way up.
So, please don't get me wrong, I have a son in law in the submarine sevices and believe we will persevere in any case...I just cannot and will not too cavalierly underestimate and write off dedicated enemies.
Let's put it this way-a N-sub will slaughter any number of D/Es in deep ocean by virtue of it's ability to stay submerged for great periods,at great depts & much greater speed & with increased efficiency of it's sonars.Nearer to the shore(in littorals),the situation becomes a lot more hazy,with speed & dept not as useful.
Tom_Paine,the Kilos that China are acquiring from Russia carry a new cruise missile system(in anti-ship & land attack variants) with ranges from 220kms to 300kms.So It doesn't even need to go out of port to hit Taiwanese vessels.
From what I have read, submerged endurance of a normal D/E doesn't go much beyond 24-30 hours due to the need to recharge it's batteries.The current D/Es that China is acquiring from Russia reportedly feature an air-independent propulsion module which can theoritically allow the sub to stay submerged for upto 8-10 days(which is a huge advantage for a D/E).If & when the Germans start selling to China,the PLAN would have it's eyes on Germany's Fuel cell based AIP,which according to reports can sustain a sub underwater for as long as 15 to 20 days & is more efficient than competing Russian & French systems.