Chinese PLAN Refines Its Anti-Sub Warfare Strategy Designed To Intercept US Submarines Reaching Taiwan Strait

The Chinese PLA Navy (PLAN) is accelerating its military drills to improve its anti-submarine strategy in intercepting US submarines racing to assist Taiwan should force come to blows.

People's Republic of China (PRC) told the US not to cross the line by acknowledging Taiwan and goading it to force a confrontation.

America Increases Presence in the Indo-Pacific

In 1979, Washington agreed with the One China Policy and recognized the PRC as the only legitimate Chinese state, noted AP News.

Nancy Pelosi, the US House Speaker, has recently confirmed a trip to Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breach of the One China Policy, as the island's recognition as an independent state, leading to protests and warnings that suggest using force to seize the island, as reported by EurAsian Times.

China flaunts its military readiness as the most recent pictures show two Y-8Q ASW aircraft taking off at sunset. Y-8Q is an ASW aircraft manufactured in China with the most sophisticated magnetic anomaly detectors that can find demagnetized submarines beneath.

KQ-200 has a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) near the tail, an electro-optic payload underneath the aircraft, and a surface search radar in the nose.

It includes two AVIC SQ-4 and SQ-5 sonobuoy deployment openings, four sonobuoys, and a cargo bay for torpedoes and anti-submarine grenades. That has six-bladed WJ-6C turboprops and is developed on the Y-8 Category III Platform.

Based on the Soviet An-12, the Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation (SAC) manufactures the medium transport Y-8. The aircraft has a patrol endurance of approximately 10 hours and a range of about 5,000 km as part of the anti-sub warfare strategy of the Chinese PLA Navy.

US Submarines in Taiwan Waters Will Be Targeted

As a result of its membership in the Southern Theatre Command, China continues to have an interest in the South China Sea (SCS), notably the northern section of the SCS. The Eastern Theatre Command is the only command to have a Taiwan contingency (ETC).

As a result, it is reasonable to presume that the PLAN's aim is US Navy nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs and SSBNs) that would have to approach the SCS via the Basi Channel and the Luzon Strait.

According to Olli Pekka Soursa, assistant professor at the Rabdan Academy in the United Arab Emirates, the area has shallower waters and a few natural hideouts, noted The Diplomat.

The Y-8Q and H-6K bombers can attack surface ships in the strait or get info.

Nuclear Subs, Sub-hunting Units

The shallow seas of the SCS are where US maritime strategists and navy planners believe nuclear submarines are at a disadvantage. Littoral water is best served by powered diesel-electric submarines (SSKs).

Nuclear submarines are louder because their pipelines contain more fluid and steam and are easier to detect with sonar. Their Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology advancements have also boosted their diving depth, speed, and submerged endurance, enabling them to stay down for at least a week, if not days.

Nonetheless, US SSNs would almost definitely be pulled into action in a Taiwan situation, thus, the Y-8Q and the region it operates in would remain of significant interest to China.

Commodore G. Prakash, an avid China observer, believes publicizing typical night-time ASW missions has extra propaganda value, possibly preventing Taiwan and the US from intervening against China.

Chinese PLA Navy and anti-sub warfare strategy will use the area and the best subs to counter US submarines from entering the fray.