loading…
It happened when a senior US naval commander warned that China could invade Taiwan within the next six years. In order to invade the island, China needed to secure control over the air and sea.
Taiwan is separated from mainland China by a stretch of sea, 100 miles wide and about 230 feet deep, deep enough for a submarine to patrol. The US and its allies hope that by building enough new submarines, they can prevent the Chinese military from taking control of the sea.
Also read: US Admiral: China Can Invade Taiwan in Six Years
As part of its new defense strategy, the US is investing $ 22 billion in the construction of the fifth phase of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine.
Australia is adding 12 more of the six submarines already in service, while Japan has a new class of attack submarines in production.
South Korea (ROK) has also started a three-phase submarine building program.
For its part, Taiwan has committed to building eight new submarines to add to the four that it currently has at a cost of $ 16 billion. The first new diesel-electric submarines will be operational in 2025.
– .