Posted on 05/02/2008 1:26:33 PM PDT by blam
Chinese nuclear submarines prompt 'new Cold War' warning
By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent
Last Updated: 5:30PM BST 02/05/2008
Tensions in the Far East could reach "Cold War levels" defence analysts warned, following evidence that China had secretly developed a major nuclear submarine base.
Satellite photographs passed to The Daily Telegraph this week showed that the secret base at Sanya on Hainan island will house up to 20 of the latest 094 Jin-class nuclear ballistic submarines that could be capable of firing anti-satellite missiles and nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.
The construction showed that China was “ramping up its operational capability” and developing a “blue water navy” that would challenge the dominance of the US in the Pacific, said Alex Neill, head of the Asia Security Programme at the Royal United Services Institute.
In the last 20 years China had gone from a coastal force to a navy capable of “exerting its influence far afield,” a senior Royal Navy officer said.
“It is clearly looking at a wider area of operations in the Far East but it also does not like the US placing their carrier battle groups in the area. In due course this could lead to Cold War levels of stand off,” the officer said.
There are also concerns that Beijing has secretly developed a broad military strategy - including internet assaults and satellite strikes - that could allow it to take Taiwan with the US unable to respond.
While talks continue for a peaceful settlement the island has long been in Beijing’s sights since it broke from the mainland in 1949.
Kerry Brown, the China expert at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, warned of “hawkish” elements in the two million strong People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who were “very focused” on Taiwan.
”The main source of friction is Taiwan and you cannot rule out a nationalistic military faction coming to power to taking a punt to have a quick go.”
Chinese defence expenditure is estimated by the Pentagon to be $50 billion (£25 billion) but analysts believe large chunks of the budget are “squirreled away” and it could be as high as $200 billion making it the second largest in the world after America.
The PLA is developing a strategy called the “sea denial campaign” which would prevent America intervening in any conflict with Taiwan, Mr Brown said.
It entails asymmetric conflict in which China would use cyber warfare and laser energy to wipe out communications. Anti-satellite missiles, potentially launched from submarines, would ensure that America was “blind” over the Far East. The Chinese have already proven that they have these capabilities as well as using espionage to remove military technology from the US.
”This is what they call pressure point warfare in which they remove any US response in one fell swoop,” Mr Brown said. “China wishes to power project well into the Pacific and challenge the dominance of the US Pacific Command.”
He also said that the Sanya base gave China reach into the Indian Ocean.
Much to America’s disgust, China’s missile accuracy has been improved from 5km down to 1km. China’s own space programme - that some experts believe equals Cape Canaveral in size - is also expanding close to the navy base on Hainan island.
There was no one available at the Chinese Embassy in London to comment.
Ping.
Chinese Boomers?.......I don’t think so......
He also said that the Sanya base gave China reach into the Indian Ocean. ..................... Meanwhile, back in New Delhi, these developments have not gone un-noticed.
A couple well paced MOAB’s or nuke and they are rendered useless. Just like the Russian Black Sea fleet, drop one burst on the Dardanelles Strait and they cannot leave the Black Sea.
Interesting that they would place so much infrastructure on a relatively small island. They had better put a very large and well-armed garrison here, because we could certainly deny them any reinforcements from the mainland if push came to shove.
The explosive growth in the number of submarines (and surface warships) around the world, is reminiscent of the build up of warships prior to World War I.
That being said, I think it might be a good idea for the US Navy to start proactively culling the flock. That is, that certain hostile navies around the world start to experience a rash of catastrophic submarine failures in deep water.
No indications of foul play and no evidence would be a must in such a situation. Just the lesson that submarines are very complex and tricky technology, and prone to failure if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Eventually, some of these belligerents might reach the conclusion that their efforts to have an undersea fleet are not cost effective. Either that, or that perhaps sea monsters do exist.
Can anyone locate this on google earth? Is it imaged?
Check this out!
The Chinese have had SLBM carrying subs since the 1980s. Why did you think that they didn’t have boomers or have refined the capability to what they have today?
18°12’27.46”N
109°40’47.38”E
It already has several links on Google Earth.
If find the location to be ominous. It is a statement that they want to control not just the Yellow Sea, but also the South China Sea. This will allow them control shipping to Taiwan and Japan and is a threat to Thailand.
The Red Menace continues to grow.
on google maps i see a second sub base 5 miles north east of that location.
Just as a U.S. city or base is rendered useless by a PLA nuke. What's your point?
No big deal.
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