Chinese subs operating in Indian Ocean
By ASIA TIMES STAFF JANUARY 16, 2018
4:08 AM (UTC+8)
Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported on Monday that China is
making fresh inroads in the Indian Ocean region by selling cheap submarines to
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Thailand.
The bargain-basement sub sales are said to be alarming
India, which is increasingly concerned about Beijing’s continuing naval
advances in Asian waters, as well as the Pacific.
China also has a submarine presence in the Indian Ocean.
Asahi quotes Indian military sources as saying that the Chinese Navy has been
operating submarines since 2013 in the Indian Ocean. The missions are said to
occur twice yearly and typically last about three months.
Bangladesh was the first to acquire relatively
inexpensive Chinese subs when it bought two used Ming-class diesel-powered
vessels in 2013. The subs became operational in March 2017.
Low as $100 million
One local military source estimated the cost of each of
the Bangladeshi subs at US$100 million. This is said to be one-tenth of the
price of a new European submarine.
In April 2017, Thailand agreed to buy two new Yuan-class
subs. The Yuans are reportedly two classes more advanced than the Mings bought
by Bangladesh. Asahi quoted a Thai government source as saying each sub will
cost about US$424 million.
Bangkok is considering purchasing two more Yuan subs.
A proposal was also made during Chinese President Xi
Jinping’s visit to Pakistan in 2015 for Islamabad to acquire eight Chinese
submarines. China confirmed the existence of the plan in 2016. The eight will
be Yuan-class subs. Four are expected to be constructed in Pakistan.
Asahi says China’s new focus on the Indian Ocean is part
of a shift in maritime strategy from coastal and near-sea defense to one that
extends to the Pacific and Indian oceans. The strategy puts more emphasis on
aircraft carriers and submarines — which China has been building at an
accelerated rate.
Spin-offs for Beijing
The purchase of Chinese submarines by Indian Ocean
littoral states has several spin-off benefits for Beijing. Asahi notes it
allows Beijing to extend its influence in related maritime areas. For example,
harbors capable of hosting the submarines will be constructed.
Nations that buy Chinese subs must also install repair
and supply facilities that match specifications required for handling these
types of Chinese vessels.
“This gives China the option of asking that its
submarines be allowed to temporarily berth there for repairs or to acquire
weapons,” Asahi said.
The more submarines China sells to regional nations, the
more data it will amass that is related to operations and potential challenges.
All this can be used to improve China’s sub technology, experts told Asahi.
Countries purchasing Chinese subs must also rely on
Chinese naval officers and technicians for advice on operations and
maintenance. “Those personnel could also play a key role in gathering vital
information, including seabed mapping, as China strives to improve its
submarine capabilities,” Asahi said.
Egypt and Cuba are reportedly among the other countries
that have expressed an interest in buying Chinese submarines.
Original post: atimes.com
Related articles:
Yuan Type 039A/Type 041 submarine: Details
No comments:
Post a Comment