Will Japan's 30 Submarines Shape The Pacific’s Undersea Defenses?

The fifth "Soryu" submarine fitted with AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) equipment, commissioned in 2011.

Forbes: With 30 Submarines, Japan Will Shape The Pacific’s Undersea Defenses

While America’s nuclear submarine fleet is incomparable, the United States is not the only nation with advanced undersea warfare capabilities. During the Cold War, NATO’s ability to counter the Soviet Union’s formidable submarine fleet benefited from the contributions of submarines operated by the United Kingdom and other NATO allies. In coming years, something similar is going to be true in the Pacific, where an expansionist China has been working steadily to create a large and modern submarine force to contest U.S. and allied control of the critical underwater domain.

As the United States and allies in the Pacific begin building the collaborative framework required to maintain their shared edge in undersea warfare over China, America’s submarine fleet will soon begin an unavoidable decline in numbers. The U.S. Navy’s front-line Cold War-era Los Angeles-class submarines are aging out, and America’s fleet of 52 nuclear attack submarines will soon begin to dwindle down to a minimum of about 42 boats in 2027-2028 before the force begins to once again grow in size.

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WNU Editor: It is going to take more than 30 subs to shape the Pacific's undersea defenses.