herakles
06-11-2008, 18:30
This is from today's Age newspaper for your interest:
US naval chief says subs can curb China
Brendan Nicholson, Canberra
November 7, 2008 THE commander of the US nuclear submarine fleet said he believes China's navy is a growing threat and it is vital that American and Australian submarines continue to operate together as "the deadliest force in the world".
Vice-Admiral Jay Donnelly said in Canberra that the biggest security concern in the region was China's increased military spending and arms build-up.
Vice-Admiral Donnelly told a conference of the Submarine Institute of Australia that China was building up to prevent any third party intervening in a conflict with Taiwan.
He said the US was moving 60% of its submarine fleet to the Pacific to respond.
Several weeks ago Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia must develop its armed forces to counter a regional arms build-up — although he did not name China as a threat.
Vice-Admiral Donnelly said Australia's Collins Class submarines could play a crucial role in any future conflict because they were able to operate at very long range without air support in dangerous areas.
He said Chinese defence spending rose by 19% in 2007 and that trend was continuing.
"While the large number of ships being constructed by the Chinese is cause for concern, more important is that we simply don't understand the rationale for many of their activities."
China was developing the ability to disrupt US military satellites and to destroy surface ships far from its shores, he said.
US naval chief says subs can curb China
Brendan Nicholson, Canberra
November 7, 2008 THE commander of the US nuclear submarine fleet said he believes China's navy is a growing threat and it is vital that American and Australian submarines continue to operate together as "the deadliest force in the world".
Vice-Admiral Jay Donnelly said in Canberra that the biggest security concern in the region was China's increased military spending and arms build-up.
Vice-Admiral Donnelly told a conference of the Submarine Institute of Australia that China was building up to prevent any third party intervening in a conflict with Taiwan.
He said the US was moving 60% of its submarine fleet to the Pacific to respond.
Several weeks ago Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia must develop its armed forces to counter a regional arms build-up — although he did not name China as a threat.
Vice-Admiral Donnelly said Australia's Collins Class submarines could play a crucial role in any future conflict because they were able to operate at very long range without air support in dangerous areas.
He said Chinese defence spending rose by 19% in 2007 and that trend was continuing.
"While the large number of ships being constructed by the Chinese is cause for concern, more important is that we simply don't understand the rationale for many of their activities."
China was developing the ability to disrupt US military satellites and to destroy surface ships far from its shores, he said.