As US Pacific allies eye nuclear submarines, should China be concerned?
Australia, South Korea and Japan want to build the vessels, potentially complicating Beijing’s naval deterrence in the region, analysts say
According to analysts, these US allies face many challenges in building nuclear-powered submarines, which could take several decades to complete, but these developments could complicate Beijing’s calculation of naval deterrence in the region, especially during a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
Nuclear-powered submarines – also known as SSNs, or Submersible Ship Nuclear – are powered by nuclear reactors, but not necessarily armed with nuclear weapons.
Compared with conventional diesel-electric submarines, which require frequent refuelling, nuclear reactors allow the submarine to operate under water at a higher speed for an extended period of time, essentially with unlimited range.
Because of their advantages in stealth, speed and endurance, nuclear subs have played a crucial role as strategic assets that project maritime deterrence in blue waters. They are often equipped with submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
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