image-1 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-1-LA-Class-USS-Pittsburgh-dc.jpg
title-1 =
description-1 = Los Angeles Class submarine USS Pittsburgh. Designed during the height of the Cold War to counter increasingly quiet Soviet submarines in the north Atlantic and north-western Pacific, which would pose a threat to the US Navy's carrier battle groups. The 32 remaining operational vessels weigh in at just under 7,000 tonnes when submerged and are reportedly capable of 33+ knots submerged. (Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-1 = 1
image-2 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-2-LA-Class-USS-Louisville-dc.jpg
title-2 =
description-2 = Los Angeles Class submarine USS Louisville. The LA Class subs are capable carrying 37 Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and multiple mines. (Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-2 = 1
image-3 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-3-Seawolf-Class-USS-Seawolf-dc.jpg
title-3 =
description-3 = USS Seawolf, lead ship of the Seawolf Class. The three Seawolf Class were designed to be the ultimate predators of the sea, responsible for hunting down stealthy Soviet Akula and Typhoon Class submarines in a deep ocean environment. Seawolf Class subs range in weight from 9,140 tonnes to 12,140 (for the USS Jimmy Carter subclass), capable of 35 knots while submerged and carry approximately 50 Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. (Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-3 = 1
image-4 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-4-USS-North-Dakota-Virginia-Class-dc.jpg
title-4 =
description-4 = USS North Dakota, a Virginia Class nuclear powered attack submarine. Acting as the next evolution of US submarine design from the preceding Seawolf Class, Virginia and her projected 66 sister ships are a 21st century submarine, with a classified top speed of greater than 25 knots submerged and submerged weight of 7,900 tonnes. The various 'blocks' of the Virginia Class are capable of carrying a variety of weapons, including Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. (Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-4 = 1
image-5 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-5-USS-Rhode-Island-Ohio-Class-dc.jpg
title-5 =
description-5 = Ohio Class submarine, USS Rhode Island. Originally designed as ballistic missile submarines responsible for carrying the sea-based leg of America's nuclear deterrent, the early-to-mid 2000s conversion of four submarines to be classed as cruise missile submarines reduced the total number of ballistic missile submarines to 14. Weighing in at about 18,750 tonnes submerged and a reported submerged speed of 25 knots, the SSBN variants are capable of support 24 Trident I and II missiles, while the SSGN variant carry a payload of 154 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles, Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. (Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-5 = 1
image-6 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-6-Type-091-Class-Submarine-dc.jpg
title-6 =
description-6 = China's Type 091 Class, its first generation of nuclear attack submarine, weighs in at 5,500 tonnes when submerged, with a top speed of about 25 knots and is capable of carrying 20 533mm torpedoes or 36 mines in their torpedo tubes. Additionally, the vessels are capable of carrying submarine launched variants of the C-801 anti-ship missile.
status-6 = 1
image-7 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-7-Kilo-Class-China-dc.jpg
title-7 =
description-7 = Kilo Class submarine for China. Russian designed fast attack submarines, designed to key anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in littoral waters. Larger than the Type 03/A Class vessels, the Russian designed submarines have a submerged weight of 3,000-3,950 tonnes, a submerged speed of 20 knots and submerged range of approximately 740 kilometres. The heavily armed vessels are capable of carrying 533mm torpedoes, 24 mines and in the case of Russian use, four Kalibr land-attack cruise missiles, eight Strela-3 or Igla-1 surface-to-air missiles.
status-7 = 1
image-8 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-8-Akula-Class-submarine-dc.jpg
title-8 =
description-8 = The pinnacle of Soviet attack submarine design, the Akula and its variants range in size from 8,140 tonnes to 13,800 tonnes submerged with a top speed between 28-35 knots when submerged. The Akula Class was designed to limit the capability of the US Navy's aircraft carriers and associated task groups through overwhelming firepower, including 28 533mm torpedoes, 12 650mm torpedoes, Klibr land-attack cruise missiles and Igla-M surface-to-air missile launcher.
status-8 = 1
image-9 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-9-Japan-Oyashio-Class-JS-Mochisio-dc.jpg
title-9 =
description-9 = The predecessor to the Soryu Class, the Oyashio Class provides a highly capable conventional attack submarine, with a 4,000-tonne submerged weight and top submerged speed of 20 knots. The vessels are armed with 20 Type 89 533mm torpedoes, which are similar to the Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes used by the US and Australian navies and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. (Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-9 = 1
image-10 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-10-Japan-Soryu-Class-dc.jpg
title-10 =
description-10 = Designed as the successor to the Oyashio Class submarines, the Soryu provide a capability leap on the older vessels. The vessels have a submerged weight of 4,200 tonnes, a top submerged speed of 20 knots and estimated air independent propulsion (AIP) endurance of 11,297 kilometres, and can be armed with 30 Type 89 533mm torpedoes (which are similar to the Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes used by the US and Australian navies), Harpoon anti-ship missiles and mines. (Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-10 = 1
image-11 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-11-Korea-Chan-Bogo-Class-dc.jpg
title-11 =
description-11 = Developed in conjunction with HDW of Germany, Korea's Chan Bogo Class provided a stepping stone for the Republic of Korea Navy to develop submarine capabilities. The three vessels displace between 1,200-1,440 tonnes, have a top submerged speed of 21.5 knots and are armed with 14 533mm torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.(Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-11 = 1
image-12 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-12-Korea-Sohn-Won-Il-dc.jpg
title-12 =
description-12 = Developed with HDW, the Sohn Won-Il Class are a domestically built variant of the Type 214 submarine with a 1,860-tonne submerged weight, a 20 knot submerged speed and armed with eight 533mm torpedoes. (Image courtesy of US Navy)
status-12 = 1
image-13 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-13-Collins-Class-dc.jpg
title-13 =
description-13 = The Collins Class submarines were commissioned into the RAN in 1996, and have operational characteristics and range tailored specifically for its defence and two-ocean surveillance role in the Royal Australian Navy. (Image courtesy of Department of Defence)
status-13 = 1
image-14 = images/AsiaSubmarines/Pic-14-Collins-Class-dc.jpg
title-14 =
description-14 = One of the first submarines to be totally designed by computers, HMAS Collins boasts a vast range of features. They include a high-performance hull form, highly automated controls, low indiscretion rates, high shock resistance, optimal noise suppression and an efficient weapons handling and discharge system. (Image courtesy of Department of Defence)
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Photo Essay: Run silent, run deep - The regional sub rivalry in pictures
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A few months ago, Defence Connect provided an in-depth analysis of the regional submarine environment of the Indo-Pacific, which generated significant debate with you, our audience. This photo essay will serve to expand upon this topic, providing imagery on the regional players’ undersea capabilities.
A few months ago, Defence Connect provided an in-depth analysis of the regional submarine environment of the Indo-Pacific, which generated significant debate with you, our audience. This photo essay will serve to expand upon this topic, providing imagery on the regional players’ undersea capabilities.
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If you missed that first piece, you can read it here.
A quick overview can be found below.
United States Navy:
Attack Submarines (SSN):
1
- Los Angeles Class
- Seawolf Class
- Virginia Class
Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile Submarines (SSBN/SSGN):
People's Liberation Army - Navy
Attack Submarines (SSN):
- Type 091 Class
- Type 093 Class
- Type 039/A Class
- Kilo Class
Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN):
- Type 092 Class
- Type 094 Class
Russian Navy
Attack Submarines (SSN):
Attack Submarines (SSK):
Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile Submarines (SSBN/SSGN):
- Oscar I/II Class
- Borei Class
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force
Attack Submarines (SSK):
- Oyashio Class
- Soryu Class
Republic of Korea - Navy
Attack Submarines (SSK)
- Chan Bogo (Type 209) Class
- Sohn Won-Il (Type 214) Class
- Dosan Anh Changho Class
Royal Australian Navy: Australia has a long history operating submarines, ranging from the AE1 and AE2 to the highly capable Oberon Class and now, the somewhat maligned Collins Class.
Scroll through the photo gallery above for imagery on the submarine capabilities of the Indo-Pacific.