China has condemned the new Indo-Pacific security alliance between the United States, Britain
and Australia, stating such partnerships should not target third countries and warned of an
intensified arms race in the region.
Under the arrangement, dubbed AUKUS, the United States and Britain will provide Australia
with the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.
Viewers may note that it is not the deployment of nuclear weapons but the use of nuclear
propulsion to enable greater range and endurance.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said it was “highly irresponsible”
for the U.S. and Britain to export the nuclear technology.
He added this will be "severely damaging regional peace and stability, intensifying an arms
race, and damaging international nuclear non-proliferation efforts".
He told during a briefing in Beijing, "China always believes that any regional mechanism
should conform to the trend of peace and development of the times and help enhance mutual trust
and cooperation...
It should not target any third party or undermine its interests"
In this video Defense Updates analyzes why China is nervous about Australia getting 8
nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS pact?
Let's get started.
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When it comes to nuclear-powered attack submarines, 8 is a pretty large number.
For example, Britain has planned to acquire 7 Astute-class boats, with 5 being completed
and France has 6 Rubis class vessels.
China has 3 Type 091 Han class vessels and 6 Type 093 Shang-class submarines in active
service.
Since these submarines are being acquired mainly to defend against China, a fleet of
8 will be very imposing and puts Australia in a much better position.
In this context, it is to be noted that China has several nuclear-powered ballistic missile
submarines, but those are focused on nuclear deterrence and not for actively attacking
enemy assets.
The Australian submarines will likely be equipped by Mark 48 used by US Navy or the Spearfish
torpedo used by Britain's Royal Navy.
The Mark 48 and its improved Advanced Capability (ADCAP) variant is a heavyweight torpedo.
It is designed to sink deep-diving nuclear-powered submarines and high-performance surface ships.
It has a range of 50 km or 31 mi, can dive to a depth of about 800 m, and has a maximum
speed of 74 km/h or 46 mph.
The Spearfish torpedo is also a heavy torpedo that can be guided by wire or by autonomous
active or passive sonar.
It is said to be one of the most advanced torpedoes in the world, having a range of
54 km or 33 miles.
Either of these is an excellent weapon when brought to bear in anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) or anti-surface warfare (ASuW) role and will be able to threaten the Chinese surface
fleet including aircraft carriers as well as submarines.
Chinese submarine technology is not as advance as in the West especially compared to the
U.S, when it comes to noise suppression and overall stealth.
For example, according to Chinese sources, the Type 093 Shang class nuclear-powered attack
submarines are about as quiet as the improved Los Angeles class attack submarines.
The important thing to note here is that Los Angeles class nuclear attack boats were produced
for the U.S. Navy between 1985 and 1996 while the first Shang class vessel was commissioned
in 2006.
The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence estimates the Shang is noisier than the Russian Victor
III class submarines which were developed in the late 1960s.
The submarines that Australia will acquire as per the agreement are expected to be significantly
better than what the Chinese possess.
Australian Prime Minister Morrison stated, “I’m announcing, in addition to the acquisitions
announced as part of the 2024 structure plan, that we will be enhancing our long-range strike
capability, including Tomahawk cruise missiles to be fielded on the Royal Australian Navy
Hobart class destroyers, and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (Extended Range) for our
Royal Australian Air Force capabilities”
The focus is clear - Australia is looking to have long-range strike options and will
acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles.
While the specific statement refers to the integration of Tomahawks with Hobart class
destroyers, the weapon does have a submarine-launched variant.
It is not hard to imagine that Australia will have a submarine that is able to accommodate
the Tomahawk like the Virginia class submarines of the US Navy.
This will provide the Royal Australian Navy with a deadly long-range land-attack capability.
Importantly, the latest Block Va variant called the Maritime Strike Tomahawk has a new seeker
capable of hitting a moving target.
So, it could be used to target a rival's surface combatants.
The target information in the variant could be updated in flight and the warhead is geared
towards destroying enemy warships.
When it comes to weapons platforms, the crew manning the machines is equally important.
This is where the AUKUS pact will be very useful.
Both US and UK possess great technical know-how when it comes to operating nuclear-powered
submarines.
While the US is at the forefront, the Royal Navy of Britain is also pretty proficient.
Just recently Chinese subs were caught by anti-submarine sonar operators aboard the
frigates HMS Richmond and HMS Kent protecting the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier.
Not only this but it was also reported by UK based publication 'Express' that "A Royal
Navy Astute class submarine is understood to have identified a third Shang boat as it
patrolled ahead of the task force in what submariners call ‘running silent’ a process,
in which no noise is made by the crew and allows operators to locate any sub-surface
contact."
Australian Navy will be able to tap into this expertise and this could turn out to be a
decisive factor in a naval conflict