China’s Not-So-Silent Service

China’s Submarine Expansion: The PLAN is rapidly enhancing its submarine fleet, aiming for up to 25 advanced Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines by 2025, alongside upgraded nuclear-powered attack, guided missile, and ballistic missile submarines, supported by a major production facility in Huludao.

U.S. Surveillance Advantage: The U.S. employs a sophisticated undersea surveillance system within the First Island Chain, using diverse platforms like sensors, UUVs, ships, aircraft, and satellites, compromising the stealth of Chinese submarines, including their nuclear deterrent.

Chinese Submarine Vulnerabilities: U.S. surveillance monitors Chinese submarines in port, on the surface, and in shallow waters, potentially blocking key sea lanes and increasing detection risks, as highlighted by PLAN officers in a 2023 Military Art article.

U.S. System Weaknesses: Geographic constraints, vast sea areas, complex undersea environments, and fragile system nodes (e.g., undersea cables, unmanned systems) limit U.S. surveillance effectiveness near China’s coast, where the PLAN holds advantages.

Chinese Countermeasures: The PLAN is urged to develop long-term strategies, including maritime militia mobilization, AI-driven detection, tactical concealment, and targeted attacks on U.S. surveillance nodes (e.g., via deep-sea demolition or anti-satellite measures) to degrade U.S. undersea dominance.

https://cimsec.org/exposed-undersea-pla-navy-officer.../