Chinese Nuclear Submarines in Indian waters concerns Indian Navy

Chinese Nuclear Submarines in Indian waters concerns Indian Navy

Chinese Nuclear Submarine

For the first time in the history, the Indian Navy has solid hints that a fleet of Chinese nuclear submarines is making numerous sorties into the Indian Ocean.

Indian Navy said they have recorded 22 such operations in which Chinese nuclear subs are in Indian waters. One submarine was spotted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Indian defense ministry said in a report that “22 unknown submarine contacts were detected by Indian and U.S sonar in the Indian Ocean”

The assessment is that China is the only other navy capable of operating in the Indian water. The assessment has been confirmed by U.S. and Indian intelligence inputs.

The extent of Chinese submarines’ frequent sorties into the Indian Ocean can be deeply troubling for the Indian Navy.

Sources tell that “one contact with a suspected Chinese submarine took place just 90 km from Indian soil in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.”

Six contacts took place north-west of the Straits of Malacca, 13 south of Sri Lanka and two as far as the Arabian Sea.

The first such Chinese submarine was spotted on sonar in August 2012 during a patrol of Indian and U.S. navy ships, confident that they are the only two navies operating in the Indian Ocean.

According to the report, the People’s Liberation Army’s naval wing is deploying the state-of-the art nuclear submarines on a 10,000-mile deep water run. The launch location is Sanya in the South China Sea.
Official sources say the Chinese submariners could be preparing to sneak into India’s backyard, test Indian Navy’s ability in keeping them out and probably pioneer a permanent presence in the Indian Ocean.