A recent Newsweek article presents an overview of the United States’ strategic deployment of nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific region as part of its efforts to contain China’s expanding naval capabilities. The U.S. maintains a considerable military presence across three island chains—the First, Second, and Third—utilizing territory from allies such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Commander Rick Moore of the U.S. Pacific Submarine Force emphasized the United States’ significant investments in undersea warfare to ensure stability and openness in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting that approximately 60% of U.S. Navy submarine units are stationed in this area.
China has responded to these actions by accusing the U.S. of escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, characterizing the situation as potentially explosive. The Pentagon notes that China has developed the world’s largest navy, now boasting over 370 vessels, prompting the U.S. to reinforce its naval activities in the region, including increasing its submarine units based in Guam and Hawaii.
The U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet includes several types of nuclear submarines: attack submarines (SSN), guided-missile submarines (SSGN), and ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). While the SSN and SSGN are equipped with conventional weaponry, the SSBN’s primary mission includes nuclear strike capabilities. The Virginia-class submarines are cited as the most advanced in the U.S. fleet, with both the SSN and SSGN units stationed at strategic locations in the Pacific.
Moreover, the U.S. is engaged in a trilateral security initiative, AUKUS, alongside the U.K. and Australia, which aims to bolster Australia’s military capacity with conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and achieve a rotational U.S. submarine presence at Australian bases.
The article maps recent U.S. submarine port calls across several key locations in the Pacific, including Japan and South Korea, where U.S. submarines dock frequently. This outreach also extends to other countries bordering the contested South China Sea, where the U.S. exercises freedom of navigation amidst territorial disputes.
In response to the burgeoning capabilities of China’s navy, expected to expand its submarine fleet to 65 vessels by 2025, the U.S. is positioned to increase its submarine presence further in the region. Commander Moore mentioned the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in U.S. submarines to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making.
Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu countered these assertions, urging respect for China’s security concerns and denouncing U.S. military superiority efforts. The ongoing tension highlights a complex geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific, with the potential for escalated U.S. military actions as China continues its naval expansion. The U.S. might consider redeploying additional submarines to solidify its military standing in key strategic waters as the situation evolves.
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