Comments on: New Chinese SSBN Deploys to Hainan Island

By: The College of Arts and Sciences – Gathering Point for Technology at the University of Oregon

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:33:46 +0000

[...] of course, is concerned about sensitive information getting out. For instance in 2008,commercially available satellite photos revealed the existence of a new ballistic missile [...]

By: It’s a map, Map World « InCarto

It’s a map, Map World « InCarto — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:36:52 +0000

[...] seen on the Google version – a sensitive issue after revelations such as one in 2008 that a newly constructed Chinese Navy ballistic missile submarine could be seen in commercially available satellite [...]

By: China Launches Its Own Version Of Google Earth | Colombo Herald

China Launches Its Own Version Of Google Earth | Colombo Herald — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:03:59 +0000

[...] of course, is concerned about sensitive information getting out. For instance in 2008, commercially available satellite photos revealed the existence of a new ballistic missile [...]

By: howardhofelich

howardhofelich — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:56:44 +0000

Think Blue Water. This Jin Class SSBN has only one mission..hover off the coast of North America and
remind the USA it is susceptible to Chinese sea power & nuclear deterence. Hopefully they have a Hyman Rickover to keep their operations safe. I hope they are afraid of what they have floated, the last thing we need is another Chernobyl.

Reply I think it would take a great deal of luck for China’s SSBN to ever get out of the South China Sea in a war. But I doubt Chinese have any plans to send their SSBNs on distant voyages off the U.S. coast. Instead, they’ll probably deploy them in bastions where they can be protected by attack submarines and aircraft. But I think you’re right on the reactor issue. Their safety record is not great. HK

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:09:07 +0000

Many folks here have made a simple matter way too complicated. China’s long term national strategy is peaceful development with enough capability to safeguard territory integrity and various national interests. SSBNs at Hainan base plus DF-21 ASBMs forms the backbone of strategic deterrence against any hostile foreign force in the event of any potential territorial situation involving Taiwan and South China Sea.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:34:02 +0000

I believe that the explanation for the existence of this new class of submarine is even simpler than has been suggested so far; The Chinese have a plan to be taken seriously and this submarine is merely part of that plan, even if it is largely symbolic. They can well afford it and it provides them leverage domestically and externally be taken seriously. After all, only ‘serious’ Navies and Governments have the likes of SSBNs. They pose no actual threat and could be neutralized in very short order. No need to respond to this latest waste of Chinese money and effort … these submarines will most likely become white elephants, consuming vast amounts of China’s wealth that really should be spent of more important things. But, its their business. All ‘we’ have to do is keep our powder dry and be prepared well in advance of any silliness happening.

By: John

John — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:52:24 +0000

The Chinese are trying to expand its naval capabilities and operations to assert tighter control and challenge US dominance over the region with the building of its new naval base in Sanya. Of course, the Chinese may deny it but that’s an obvious reason already. The location of the new naval base is of a very strategic importance since they can easily control the sea lanes and project their naval power within the region in case of a future military conflict in the Taiwan Strait, Spratly Islands and the Indian Ocean as well as in the Pacific.

The US would probably counter this by strengthening its ties with its allies in the region – Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and most especially Philippines due to its strategic location in the region. The US could talk with the Philippine government and probably come up with a deal to host bases there.

By: visionary

visionary — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:46:31 +0000

[Edited] The real issue is, "Are they quite enough for USN Seaworlf and Virginias?" and "Are they going be good enough to have a chance to launch the missiles?" HGR you are absolutely right, for these subs to be really effective, they had to go through 4 major choke points. Malacca Stright (India, Singapore Navy is waiting for them) Taiwanese straigt (Taiwan and US), Philipino and Indonesian islands (too shallo to risk internation incidents and no manevering room) and Japanes archielago (Japanese and US). So, China is stuck in the South China Sea. That is one of the reason why Taiwan is so crucial to China. It gives them deep water for their subs. A good coordinated ASW in South China Sea should choke them. Can any one tell us how good these Jin's are? Reply: Lots of assumptions there about how China may operate its submarines and how important "deep water" is. As for how good they are, everything is relative, but they're certainly not very quiet. HK

By: HGR

HGR — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:07:40 +0000

To HK:

What if the SSBNs based at Haina sail through the straits between the island of Taiwan and the Phillip islands, and enter the Pacific Ocean? The SLBMs on those subs would be within range to continential United States then…….

Of course, you can say the USN would be able to shadow these subs even before they enter the Pacific Ocean. But down the road, if China successfully recovers Taiwan, then the story would be different……. In this regard, Jin class could be just one step in a long-term plan. The Chinese are good at making long-term plans, the naval strategy of China today is still the same one made by Admiral Liu Huaqing in the 1980s, and it works

By: A.Kin

A.Kin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:26:09 +0000

Small correction the US did not ratify the law of the sea….. Yes they promoted it, but in the end never signed it. Besides, with much case in point, If you are sovereign to defend/react (within your home) to threats. And spying is a threat. Would you not have done the same? (in a “I’m warning you” manner) The USN did admit they where on surveilance searching for Chinese submarines. I’d imagine the reaction if the opposite where to occur, say near Norfolk VA.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7941425.stm
Agreed with many of the statements above, the base is only a further extension of the PLAN goals as a deterrent from attacks and blackmailing. As an emerging power in the globe, countries tend (if not must) to develop their military power to acertain credibility from being bullied around. Else they might loose their identity.