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In an indication of the country's growing naval prowess, latest reports by American intelligence agencies have revealed that China's fleet of over 50 submarines carried out 12 extended patrols in 2008, double the number that the Chinese Navy carried out in the previous year.
While the number of patrols carried out by Chinese submarines is nowhere close to what the US does, it has exceeded the number of patrols carried out by Russia's comparatively larger fleet of nuclear powered submarines.
Analysts say that the increased number of patrols is an indication that China is testing its abilities to deploy naval assets far away from home land which would enhance its capability of projecting power in any part of the world.
According to information obtained by the Federation of American Scientist (FAS) under the US Freedom of Information Act, China has been steadily increasing its patrols in the past few years, from two in 2005 to six in 2007.
The implications of the increased Chinese submarine activity would be drawn by Indian analysts but Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta has been on record to say that the increasing number of nuclear submarines in the region is a strong cause of concern for the country.
While it has not been revealed the regions in which the Chinese submarines conducted patrols, the country last year deployed its latest 'Jin' class nuclear submarine at a massive new military facility on the Hainan Island in South China Sea – its nearest naval base to India.
However, the US Naval report has made it clear that while Chinese nuclear powered attack submarines have increased the number of patrols, the country has yet to send out submarines that have nuclear tipped missiles onboard out on patrols.
While nuclear attack submarines are feared by navies throughout the world due to their virtually unlimited range and stealthy nature that allows them to sneak up on enemy vessels, submarines equipped with nuclear tipped missiles (SSBN) are of strategic value as it gives the country the capability of launching a nuclear attack from any part of the world.
The report says that the Chinese `Jin' class SSBN, that carries 12 nuclear tipped missiles, was spotted in February last year at Hainan but did not carry out any extended patrol the entire year.
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There are no permanent friends or enemies in this world. US could very well be the biggest thread for India in the coming years. Are we prepared?
The Indian politicians are very rich
The Indian ocean does not belong to any particular country and hence nobody has the right to keep the others out. Further, strategically, it is a vital trade link for many countries in the region. However, it seems that while the Indian politicians were sleeping or indulging in their petty power plays, their real enemy, the Chinese have circled them with their string of pearls strategy and advanced nuclear submarines and soon aircraft carriers as well. At this point, it seems that the Indians have again been outplayed by China. Hopefully, one of these days, the Indians will wake up and take note... Sweet dreams till then.
What is the big deal? India's aircraft carrier patrols Do Not raise eyebrows in China. Everyone wants to be more powerful than the others and India is no exception.
Does Criminalist U.S.A's submarine patrols raise eyebrows in India?
The world knows that China is flexing its muscle in the East
China's increased naval capability particularly with regard to the nuke powered submarines is a matter of great concern for India. The Govt and the Indian Navy should have assessed this threat much before and taken corrective action to acquire nuclear powered subs to retain retaliatory strike power. Acquiring a dozen such submarines would have cost less than the amount which has been doled out to habitual drunkards and loan defaulters in the firm sector by the UPA Govt. Those 100,000 crores were tax payers money which has been misused by these irresponsible lot and for vote bank politics this Govt has doled out this hefty amount to those, who should have been punished for misusing the money taken on loan. Such action will act as a disincentive to the genuine farmers and increase the tendency for such loan defaults. A decision taken by a group of Idiots is bound to affect the country. This money could have been easily used for buying weapons for the defence of our country.
When will India start noticeable patrols by its submarines outside the country's territorial waters on extended deployment even when countries like Malaysia and Iran are growing their naval presence..
China has been continually streamlining its efforts towards developing a powerful defense infrastructure. It is completely there decision, what they do with the subs. Instead of just being awestruck by the news, it would be better if Indian politicians learn something from China and cut out the red tape
If China is flexing its muscle so be it! The ocean's belongs to the one who can dominate it. The Bristish did that 300-years; post WWII, the US has done i. So why should China be an exception? One needs to recall that a few years ago, India was carrying out exercises in South China sea and the Chinese were protesting about that. What India needs is a three carrier battle group with enough internal muscle to ward off any threat. China is not the only one who have interests in Indian Ocean. There are many others!
Stop raising unwanted stuffs...Instead raise your might - confidence - and - an ability to act decisively.
Good! We chinese nuclear submarines should protect indian oceans as well. IT is good