Title: Sino-US Nuclear Submarines: Cold War Escalation and the Balance of Nuclear Forces
Strategic nuclear submarines have always carried the most mysterious weapons of the world's major nuclear countries, hiding in the deep oceans and becoming the covert embodiment of potential threats. However, in the past month and a half, an anomaly has occurred, when strategic nuclear submarines of China and the United States have surfaced at the same time, raising fears of a tense nuclear power confrontation.
Not long ago, a video widely circulated on international social media, showing footage of China's Type 094 strategic nuclear submarine sailing on the surface of Philippine waters. Some outside observers said that this is the first time that the 094 nuclear submarine has appeared in the western Pacific. Interestingly, the nuclear submarine is only 800 kilometers away from Guam, and the range of the Julang-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile carried by the 094 nuclear submarine is enough to cover most of the continental United States.
The Type 094 nuclear submarine represents the latest progress of China's second-generation strategic missile nuclear submarines, which far surpass the previous generation of 092 nuclear submarines in terms of speed, strike capability, quiet performance, maneuverability and maximum depth. Although the 094 nuclear submarine still carries 12 missile launchers, these launchers are equipped with modified Julang-2 missiles, which can carry up to six nuclear warheads and have a range of up to 10,000 kilometers. The latest modification, the Long March-18, commissioned on April 23, 2021, is at its limit and can drop 72 nuclear warheads on the west coast of the United States, posing an unbearable burden for the United States.
The Ohio-class nuclear submarines are the fourth generation of US strategic missile nuclear submarines, with a total of 18 submarines, four of which have long been converted into cruise missile nuclear submarines, while the other 14 carry intercontinental nuclear missiles. These submarines have a huge hull equipped with 24 missile launchers, each of which can launch a Trident 2 D-5 submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile. This makes the Ohio-class nuclear submarines one of the largest in the world carrying intercontinental missiles. The Trident 2 D-5 missile has a range of more than 11,000 kilometers, is extremely accurate, can carry multiple nuclear warheads, and has a strong comprehensive combat capability.
It is China that is aware of the presence of the US Ohio-class nuclear submarine in the Philippine Sea. Behind this action may be to exert a nuclear deterrent on China.
However, it is worth noting that while U.S. nuclear submarines can deliver nuclear strikes against China, China also has the means to counter it. China's nuclear submarines are also capable of threatening the U.S. homeland, so both sides understand that a nuclear arms race will only lead to instability and danger. There is no doubt that the U.S. sea-based nuclear forces far surpass China at this stage, but the nuclear strike capability of China's 094 nuclear submarine should not be underestimated.
In the end, China hopes that the 096 strategic nuclear submarine, carrying the Julang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, will enter service at an early date. This will further narrow the gap between U.S.-China sea-based nuclear forces and enhance China's nuclear deterrent capability. In the current international situation, the balance and stability of nuclear forces are of paramount importance to the maintenance of world peace. The two sides should resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy, avoid unnecessary tensions, and ensure that the nuclear arms race does not turn into catastrophic consequences. Global peace and security can be achieved only through cooperation and negotiation.