- Two aircraft worked together to identify ‘suspicious objects’ in disputed waters, PLA Navy captain says
- With military tensions rising in region, China is keen to put its anti-submarine capabilities to the test, observer says
, the People’s Liberation Army said on Friday, amid a growing number of patrols and exercises by US warships in the region.
But by having two planes working together, it “increase[d] the probability of finding a submarine”, he said.
Successfully completing the mission demanded precise “control of the speed and altitude of the aircraft”, he said.
The publication of the PLA report came after the United States staged a four-day exercise in the South China Sea last week involving the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, the America Expeditionary Strike Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Collin Koh, a research fellow with the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said the Chinese military was keen to promote its anti-submarine capabilities.
“And it would not be surprising if a nuclear attack submarine was in the vicinity of the carrier strike group,” he said.
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Song Zhongping, a Hong Kong-based commentator on military affairs, said that with the possibility of a military conflict growing in the South China Sea, it was important for the PLA Navy to increase its anti-submarine training.
“The rivalry between the great powers is getting more and more intense, and the PLA must strengthen its preparations,” he said.
Echoing commander Wang’s comments, Song said that the high volume of maritime traffic and sheer size and depth of the South China Sea made searching for submarines difficult.
“So the PLA is trying to enhance its capabilities by constantly installing and testing new anti-submarine equipment,” he said.
Source: SCMP
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