[Gorshkov]

First those "new" Russian subs are not much quieter than Akulas as opposed to common belief because Russian R&D base crippled 20 years ago - so Graney and Borey subs are essentially also 1980s to early 1990s vintage technology. Second another reports claim China has also acquired Akula's technology which is now introduced in their brand-new designs after finishing development of Delta and Victor III clones. Moreover Chinese progress is very fast while Russians sit idle in their mess and lack of money. All it means both Russia and China are now almost equal in submarine technology but lag about 15-20 years behind the US (Sewolf, Virginia). Another point is numerical strength of Russian and Chinese nuclear submarine fleets is also far below US/NATO level.