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Originally Posted by SUBMAN1
THat is somewhat incorrect. We need to increase our sub fleet to counter the Chinese threat. By 2008, the Chinese will surpass our own sub fleet in number of deployed boats. They will double it by 2015, and that is if we maintain current levels. I think we will wake up one day and realize that we have a much bigger problem than we originally anticipated, and China can do this without having to build many nuke boats because it is not their intention to fight us on our side of the ocean, but to fight us near their side.
-S
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And, therefore, keeping the sealanes open would not be a large factor given that China wants to fight in their front yard, so to speak. This is the anthesis of Soviet doctorine, which called for a 'breakout' into the oceanic shipping lanes in an effort to protect their interests in eastern Europe, which was the most likely front in an east-west conflict. China's stragegy, obviously, calls for a 'fortress' approach in the South China Sea, Yellow Sea, and Formosa Strait. This greatly reduces the need for high-speed escorts, as operations in the regions around China would allow for more stationed operations.