PLA's submarines in Hainan concern US security: columnist

[Bussard Ramjet]

Two Chinese Type 094 ballistic missile submarines in Hainan. (Internet photo)

The deployment of three ballistic missile submarines to a PLA naval base on Hainan island in southern China has become a US national security "concern," according to Bill Gertz, a national security columnist for the Washington Free Beacon.

Admiral William Gortney, the commander of the US Northern Command, based in Colorado, said that the three vessels are suspected to be Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines and are being watched closely. "Even from their own waters, they can reach part of our homeland. Hawaii is part of our homeland and they can reach Hawaii. And then the farther east they go, they can reach more and more of our nation," said Gortney.

Once they are fully deployed with missiles and warheads, they will have the ability to strike continental United States, according to the commander. "They've not loaded their missiles or begun strategic patrols," said a defense official. "But we believe they are likely to begin this year." When asked if they have conducted sea patrols near the US coast, Gortney said that Chinese submarines will be able to conduct underwater operations near US shores in the future.

PLA's submarines in Hainan concern US security: columnist｜WantChinaTimes.com

 

[Bussard Ramjet]

I must say, this is height of US exceptionalism. Threat from a submarine base of a sovereign country in its undisputed territory, half way around the world.

Next, they are going to be say, "The possibility of aliens threatens the national security of the United States, and we must find them, and destroy them."

 

[Khalid Newazi]

What about all those US' bases near China? Does it not threaten Chinese security?

 

[Pangu]

I won't be surprised that they will label China, the country itself a security threat like they did with Venezuela, such is their worrisome psyche & obsession.

 

[Huaren]

Well american war machines in California are more of concern to chinese (and many others) security. The next moment they could be in some places on the other side of the globe, risking the security of any nation(s) on seven continents (at different or the same time) . At least chinese submarines would never drifting that far away, or being put nearly as often in action (if at all).

 

[Meroe]

Unbelivable, It would be understandable if the Japanese were concerned about the Type 094 subs in Hainan because it could affect their area of operation if the JMSDF were on an operational mission (JMSDF is heavily specialized in anti-sub). but the US?

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Unbelivable, It would be understandable if the Japanese were concerned about the Type 094 subs in Hainan because it could affect their area of operation if the JMSDF were on an operational mission (JMSDF is heavily specialized in anti-sub). but the US?

The Type 094 is not reserved for Japan.

Even a single Type 092 can easily launch the nuclear missiles against Japan safely within the Chinese waters, there is nothing Japan can do about it.