By David Morse, 17 November 2024
Recent analysis of open source satellite imagery by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California has revealed a significant step by the PLAN (Chinese Navy) towards nuclear propulsion for major warships. The assumption is that this capability would be aimed at the construction of a nuclear-powered carrier thereby advancing the PLAN's plan for a platform to rival US carriers in the Pacific. The PLAN is expanding at an impressive rate outdoing US construction by an order of magnitude. Recent construction has included large guided-missile destroyers, amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers and the PLAN has recently negotiated its first overseas basing agreement in Djibouti as well as Chinese funded expansion of the Ream naval base in Cambodia.
The expansion of the PLAN and its future intentions are the prime focus of the US Chief of Naval Operations "Navigation Plan 2024" - Admiral Franchetti opens the document with two strategic directions; the first of which is "readiness for the possibility of war with the People’s Republic of China by 2027".
Notwithstanding the ongoing Middle East crises, the Pacific region demands dedicated attention by US allies including Canada.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/china/china-prototype-nuclear-reactor-aircraft-carrier-intl-hnk
One thought on “A Closer Step to Pacific Naval Parity”
David,
Canada’s Navy currently is wholly unprepared for a major maritime conflict in the Asia-Pacific region. So the question becomes: without new River-class destroyers or new submarines, what role is left for a small navies such as Canada’s?
There is mounting concern that the United States is not prepared for such an eventuality as well. [See, Evan Montgomery and Julian Ouellet, “American Defense Planning in the Shadow of Protracted War”, warontherocks.com, 18 November 2024].