Chinese navy grows new muscle to flex in region

[herrmill]

They sure do have some colorful flags! The Titanic

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90786/8135307.html

[herrmill]

China Buying Amur Class Subs from Russia

Thought this article was quite relevant to the discussion on submarines & the PLAN. You'll want to read the article since it goes deep into the mistrust the Russians have at China for - can you believe it? - reverse engineering their Su-27 fighters.

The prospective order for Amur-class submarines, estimated to be worth about $2 billion, also suggests that the PLA navy is dissatisfied with the latest versions of its home-grown Song and Yuan class conventional submarines.

Submarines are a top priority for the PLA as it attempts to build a force capable of dominating China's offshore waters and deterring the U.S. military from intervening in regional conflicts, analysts say.

Submarines would also be crucial in any territorial clash with Japan, which has a powerful navy and advanced anti-submarine warfare capability.

The PLA navy now has a fleet of more than 60, mostly conventional submarines, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Most Western analysts believe the most capable vessels in this fleet are 12, Russian-made Kilo class submarines delivered from the late 1990s.

The Amur class is regarded as a significant improvement on the Kilo class with improved stealth, batteries and weapons.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/27/us-china-russia-arms-idUSBRE92Q0PE20130327

[vital.spark]

I don't know if you saw this article on the latest PLAN force that reached down to Malaysia. Take a look at the map and you'll get an ideal on how far China claims as their territory!

http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1200564/pla-navy-amphibious-task-force-reaches-james-shoal-near-malaysia