China deploys missile-armed nuclear subs to South China Sea

Posted to InterAksyon (Jul 8): China deploys missile-armed nuclear subs to South China Sea



From Navy.81.Cn

China has deployed three nuclear powered ballistic missile-armed submarines to its South China Sea fleet to further stamp its power and influence in the region, where it is embroiled in territorial disputes with Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Chinese media released a photo, apparently taken last May, of three Type 094 missile submarines docked at a Yulin naval base on Hainan Island.

The submarines' presence at Hainan Island, which is China's main base covering the South China Sea, is seen as a major development as this the first time Beijing deployed its ballistic missile submarines to a forward base.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy marked two milestones in this year's CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) naval exercises with the US Navy.

One: The Philippine Navy carried out ship borne helicopter operations using its new Augusta / Westland AW109E helicopters from BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio del Pilar.



Photo (above) shows an AgustaWestland helicopter similar to the ones procured by the Philippine Navy.

Both ships are equipped with one helicopter each and outfitted for maritime patrol and search and rescue.

The Philippine Navy plans to upgrade the helicopters' capabilities to include anti – submarine warfare but this will depend on availability of funds.

The second milestone: The BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio del Pilar carried out open sea operations and maritime interdiction exercises for the first time with the US Navy.

Philippine Navy Lt. (JG) Rommel Rodriguez, Philippine Navy Fleet spokesman, said both ships have taken part in other naval exercises prior to CARAT.

The Type 094, also known as the Jin Class, is China's first ballistic missile submarine and is armed with 12 submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with a range of 4,900 miles.

The Washington Free Beacon, a US online newspaper, noted that the stationing of the three Chinese missile submarines at Hainan Island is the beginning of regular sea patrols in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The timing of the submarines' deployment also came at the height of tensions between China and Vietnam.

Sometime in April, a Kilo–class attack submarine was spotted by surveillance aircraft in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands.

However, it was not determined if the submarine was Chinese or Vietnamese as both countries are equipped with this submarine class.

According to the article, US Adm. Samuel Locklear, US Pacific Command chief, described China's submarine force as "large and with significant capability."

"China continues the production of ballistic missile submarines," Admiral Locklear was quoted as telling the US House Armed Services Committee in March 2014, warning further that China will have a "credible sea–based nuclear deterrent" by the end of 2014.

The international defense industry web site, IHS Jane's Fighting Ships, pointed out that the People's Liberation Army – NAVY (PLAN) already has four operational Type 094s as well as five nuclear attack submarines.

China also has 53 diesel–electric submarines in its fleet.

Another defense industry web site showed surveillance photos of a 5th Type 094 submarine being built at China's Bohai shipyards.

Apart from the three submarines, China also recently sent two Type 056 Jiangdao–class guided missile corvettes to its South China Sea fleet.

According to Jane's Fighting Ships, the Jiangdao class corvette is normally armed with surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, as well as a 76mm main gun and two 30mm cannons.

Lt. Rodriguez of the Philippine Navy Fleet said CARAT 2014 was the first time integrated helicopter operations were conducted with BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz in real world situations.

"This year's CARAT focused on strengthening Maritime Domain Awareness, which includes training on Visit, Board, Search, Seizure (VBSS) operations, maritime interdiction operations and search and rescue," Lt. Rodriguez told TV5, "This has enabled the Navy to test and evaluate this operational doctrine."

Anti–submarine warfare training was not included in CARAT 2014, but Rodriguez stressed that the Philippine Navy plans to develop this capability, although "budget is the main requirement."

"At this stage, we are already conducting studies on the specifications, though there are still other assets in the priority pipeline," he conceded.

The Philippine Navy will acquire two additional AW109Es, for a total of five helicopters. According to AgustaWestland, the two additional helicopters will be equipped for economic zone protection, surface surveillance, search and rescue and maritime security.

AgustaWestland said the AW109E's cabin is designed to be outfitted with a number of "modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles." Delivery of the two helicopters is expected at the end of 2014.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/90779/china-deploys-missile-armed-nuclear-subs-to-south-china-sea