With all the attention on the Middle East since “9/11″, a story linked on Drudge brings China’s military ambitions back into the news in a big, scary way! Bill Gertz from the Washington Times reports”

China’s military has launched the first of a new class of ballistic missile submarines in what defense officials view as a major step forward in Beijing’s strategic weapons program.

The new 094-class submarine was launched in late July and when fully operational in the next year or two will be the first submarine to carry the underwater-launched version of China’s new DF-31 missile, according to defense officials. …

“In the very near future, China will have a secure, second-strike nuclear attack capability that it will use to bolster its nuclear strategy of seeking to deter the United States from aiding Taiwan after a PLA attack,” Mr. Fisher said. Mr. Fisher said the JL-2 likely will have multiple warheads. The new submarine will make it more difficult for the U.S. military to take part in a defense of Taiwan because of the threat of nuclear retaliation, he said. … “

Patrick Robinson, former columnist for the London Daily Express, has written a series of novels about submarine warfare, many of them dealing with the impending threat of China acquiring advanced submarine technology. The threat of a billion plus people combined with an emerging industrial economy hungry for oil and armed with submarine based intercontinental ballistic missiles most certainly is causing some sleepless nights at the NSA! . . . db

This entry was posted on Friday, December 3rd, 2004 at 10:14 am and is filed under Focus On Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.  |   Print This Post  |   Email This Post

Recently Posted:

• Two More Pro-Global-Warming Scientists Become Sceptics — Is Hell Freezing Over Yet?
• Merry Christmas Y’All — 2011!
• Pearl Harbor Day — the USS Oklahoma — a Post Redux “x” Five
• More Climategate 2.0 Shenanigans . . . What Else Would We Expect?
• Concrete, Sustainability & The EPA — A Nasty, Expensive Mix — Oh, Ya Betcha!
• Climategate 2.0 Emails – Real & Spectacular?
• Chemtrail Of The Day
• Giving Thanks to Our Veterans On This Special Day
• Victor Davis Hanson On The Upcoming Presidential Election
• SEIU Siphons ‘Dues’ From Michigan Medicaid Payments