Over half of the world’s submarines will be in Asia by 2030, as Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Singapore, modernize their militaries and look to hedge against instability by building undersea fleets.
* Pakistan is buying eight submarines from China and is looking for surplus European submarines
* Vietnam has getting delivery of six Russian Kilo Submarines
* China has more attack submarines than the USA (US has 71) and is building about ten per year
* Japan is expanding its navy and submarine fleets
* Australia is getting 8-12 new submarines
* India is expanding its submarine fleet with new purchases
The 6th Soryu-class SSK, SS-506 Kokuryu, (meaning Black Dragon) was commissioned into service with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe on March 9th.
The Soryu Class diesel-electric submarines are being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Ten Soryu Class submarines are planned for the JMSDF. The class is an improved version of the Oyashio Class submarine.
Japan's navy operates six Soryu attack subs and 11 older Oyashio-class vessels. It plans a total fleet of 22 submarines. The JMSDF has focused on its submarine buildup specifically because they are more out of sight and less expensive than large surface warships. Before considering the risk of accelerating China’s military buildup and possibly moving the region to a full-blown arms race, developing a carrier fleet would also require Japan to boost its defense spending beyond the psychological barrier of 1 percent of GDP.
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Japan’s response to Chinese anti-access/area-denial threats rest on three planks: increasingly large helicopter carriers, next-generation 3,300-ton Soryu-class submarines and new Aegis destroyers.
This strategy is further enhanced by plans to deploy 20 Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft as replacements for the P-3C, and upgraded SH-60K sub-hunting helicopters.
Pakistan is renewing efforts to modernize its submarine arm with eight submarines from China as well as a search for surplus European submarines.
Analysts believe that since the National Security Committee has agreed to the deal in principle, it is likely to go ahead.
The officials also requested US $294 million to upgrade ATR-72 maritime patrol aircraft. Two un-upgraded aircraft are in service, and officials hope to acquire more.
Pakistan operates five French submarines.
Its two Agosta-70s were acquired in 1979 and 1980, respectively, and despite upgrades they are widely acknowledged by analysts to be well past their prime and in need of replacement. Three air-independent propulsion (AIP)-equipped Agosta-90Bs, which are a development of the Agosta-70s, were commissioned from 1999 onward.
The Pakistan Navy requires 12 submarines laid out in the Armed Forces Development Plan (AFDP) 2015 and a later revised plan.
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The Chinese Yuan-class submarine is reportedly one of the types of subs possibly under consideration by Pakistan.
(Photo: Wikimedia)
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* Pakistan is buying eight submarines from China and is looking for surplus European submarines
* Vietnam has getting delivery of six Russian Kilo Submarines
* China has more attack submarines than the USA (US has 71) and is building about ten per year
* Japan is expanding its navy and submarine fleets
* Australia is getting 8-12 new submarines
* India is expanding its submarine fleet with new purchases
The 6th Soryu-class SSK, SS-506 Kokuryu, (meaning Black Dragon) was commissioned into service with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe on March 9th.
The Soryu Class diesel-electric submarines are being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Ten Soryu Class submarines are planned for the JMSDF. The class is an improved version of the Oyashio Class submarine.
Japan's navy operates six Soryu attack subs and 11 older Oyashio-class vessels. It plans a total fleet of 22 submarines. The JMSDF has focused on its submarine buildup specifically because they are more out of sight and less expensive than large surface warships. Before considering the risk of accelerating China’s military buildup and possibly moving the region to a full-blown arms race, developing a carrier fleet would also require Japan to boost its defense spending beyond the psychological barrier of 1 percent of GDP.
Japan’s response to Chinese anti-access/area-denial threats rest on three planks: increasingly large helicopter carriers, next-generation 3,300-ton Soryu-class submarines and new Aegis destroyers.
This strategy is further enhanced by plans to deploy 20 Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft as replacements for the P-3C, and upgraded SH-60K sub-hunting helicopters.
Pakistan is renewing efforts to modernize its submarine arm with eight submarines from China as well as a search for surplus European submarines.
Analysts believe that since the National Security Committee has agreed to the deal in principle, it is likely to go ahead.
The officials also requested US $294 million to upgrade ATR-72 maritime patrol aircraft. Two un-upgraded aircraft are in service, and officials hope to acquire more.
Pakistan operates five French submarines.
Its two Agosta-70s were acquired in 1979 and 1980, respectively, and despite upgrades they are widely acknowledged by analysts to be well past their prime and in need of replacement. Three air-independent propulsion (AIP)-equipped Agosta-90Bs, which are a development of the Agosta-70s, were commissioned from 1999 onward.
The Pakistan Navy requires 12 submarines laid out in the Armed Forces Development Plan (AFDP) 2015 and a later revised plan.
The Chinese Yuan-class submarine is reportedly one of the types of subs possibly under consideration by Pakistan.
(Photo: Wikimedia)
Read more »
