Hong Kong, March 31 -- China is dramatically modernising its submarine fleet, even though developments remain cloaked in secrecy. The USA has traditionally held a comfortable lead over China in terms of underwater warfare, but Beijing is working hard to erode this advantage by enhancing its submarine fleet, expanding anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and investing in seabed sensors and networked surveillance.

In testimony given before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on 2 March 2026, Rear Admiral Mike Brookes, Intelligence Director - Navy Commander, US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), offered predictions about China's future submarine force.

He said, by 2027, China's submarine force is projected to reach roughl...