Comparing the fleets: How China, Russia and the U.S. stack up

[Mr Quatro]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...nes/711058002/

The United States is building its first Columbia-class SSBN to replace the Ohio-class, and the Navy anticipates the lead ship will be completed by 2027. The Navy should have 12 Columbia-class boomers by the 2040s, according to General Dynamics, a Navy submarine contractor.

Meanwhile, Russia expects to complete four Borei-II submarines by 2025, and China will begin constructing Type 096 submarines in several years, both of which will be able to travel at speeds of more than 30 knots – or about 10 knots faster than the new Columbia-class SSBN. While the United States is most focused on the lifetime savings from the Columbia-class’s improved nuclear core reactor, for both Russia and China’s next generation of boomers, speed and stealth are key.

“Currently, the U.S. advantage is in quieting, so I’m not surprised to see Russia and China try to close that gap,” said Bradley Martin