A missile renaissance in the Indian and Pacific oceans.. Learn about the most prominent nuclear submarines in the oceans

LONDON - The

"Aukus" security agreement between the United States, Britain and Australia has shed light on the struggle for influence in the "Indo-Pacific" region, a term that has come to refer to all countries bordering these two oceans instead of the "Asia-Pacific" region.

The developments of the conflict prompted Australia to buy nuclear submarines in view of the number of nuclear states in the region (India, Pakistan, Russia and China), as well as the American and British nuclear fleets sailing in these oceans.

Australia is moving at full speed to acquire nuclear submarines after the great progress made by China, its success in pushing its maritime borders the farthest distance, building islands in the South China Sea, and then increasing interest in the Indian Ocean.

In addition, China has benefited from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Strategic Weapons between Russia and the United States during the past five years, to develop its nuclear arsenal.

China justifies its actions by saying that its two hundred nuclear missiles cannot be compared to about 6000 nuclear missiles, which is the sum of the Russian and American arsenal.

Six countries in the world have nuclear submarines, namely the United States, France, Britain, China, Russia and India, 5 of which are currently moving their submarines in the Indian and Pacific Ocean region, thus becoming the inhabited sea area with the largest number of nuclear warheads.

The greater the tension, the greater the nuclear arms race, or as described by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Germany as a "missile renaissance" in that region.

American striking force

The United States has 68 submarines, all of which are nuclear-powered.

This summer, the US Navy directed 3 of its "Sea Wolf"-class nuclear submarines to the Pacific Ocean to counter the growing Chinese influence there.

In addition to 6 Ohio-class submarines also deployed in the same ocean, all of them carry Trident D5 nuclear missiles, which are considered the most powerful nuclear deterrent in the ocean.

The location of these submarines cannot be known given the nuclear missiles they carry (about 12 missiles in each submarine), which makes them not eligible to dock in any port outside the United States, and their task is to hide while awaiting launch orders.

The US Navy also deploys 16 Los Angeles-class nuclear submarines, one of the oldest nuclear submarines in service for nearly half a century.

The United States and the West are seeking to deploy nuclear submarines in the Indian and Pacific Oceans to deter Chinese influence (British Royal Navy official website)

Underwater dragon

In contrast, military estimates vary about the Chinese nuclear submarine fleet, but it remains between 12 and 18 nuclear submarines.

According to a study conducted by the School of National Security at the Australian National University, Beijing's campaign to build islands in the South China Sea is intended to turn into a stronghold and harbor for nuclear submarines, and to counter any possible US attack.

According to the same study, China is deploying in this region 6 Jin 094 nuclear submarines, the latest submarines received by the Chinese Navy, to join the oldest of the Jin 092 class, which can carry 12 ballistic missiles of the GL-2. (JL-2), which has a range of 7,200 km, which means it is capable of hitting targets in Hawaii in southern Japan, or hitting the US western mainland in the central Pacific Ocean.

According to the same document estimates, the biggest obstacle to China and its nuclear submarine movements is geography, as it is surrounded by shallow waters and many narrow sea lanes.

6 countries have nuclear submarines, and with the escalation of tension between America and China, their appetite for more armaments is increasing (the official website of the British Royal Navy)

bear in the ocean

As for Russia, it has 29 nuclear-powered submarines, and 11 capable of launching nuclear missiles.

Moscow always deliberately shows some of its nuclear naval fleet, in a show of force.

Immediately after friction with the British Navy in the Black Sea recently, Russia decided to send 3 of its nuclear submarines to the region and cross from the Baltic Sea to send a message to the West in general.

It is related to the Oscar-class submarine, which is considered the second largest submarine in the Russian fleet in terms of length and the ability to displace water, in addition to its ability to launch missiles from two sides.

In addition to the "Knyaz Vladimir" submarine, which is one of the most modern submarines in the Russian fleet and is armed with 16 "Bulava" ballistic missiles. This type of missile can carry 10 self-guided nuclear warheads and can change the flight path vertically and horizontally and hit targets at a range of 8,000 kilometers.

Also in the Russian fleet is the "Oscar 2" submarine, which was designed during the Cold War to attack enemy aircraft carriers. It is equipped with supersonic missiles and has a range of 350 nautical miles, and can carry nuclear warheads.

British submarine "HMS Tyreless" (European)

Britain..a new comeback

The UK is expected to benefit from the Ocos agreement to return to the Pacific Ocean with greater force.

The agreement stipulates that British nuclear submarines will use Australia as a base in order to have a more stable presence in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

And the British newspaper “Telegraph” revealed that the agreement provides for the deployment of 3 “Astute” or “Veteran” submarines in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Launching long-range ballistic missiles, with pinpoint accuracy.

India..the newcomer

India has only one nuclear submarine, built in 2016, the INS Arihant.

To be the first country outside the permanent members of the Security Council to own these submarines.

It is expected to announce the operation of a new submarine of the same model, but with modern modifications this year.

This submarine carries 12 short-range ballistic missiles with a range of up to 1,000 km, and it can be modified to launch 4 medium-range ballistic missiles that may reach 3,500 km.

However, military estimates indicate that the scope of operations of this submarine is the Bay of Bengal to counter Pakistan and China.

The Indian geographical position allows these submarines to go on open naval patrols, making them capable of launching long-range ballistic missiles in the future.