The United States Navy has long enjoyed its mastery over the world’s oceans. With its advanced submarines and multiple carrier strike groups, the US has been able to project power nearly uncontested for decades.
However, in the past several years, hostile powers such as Russia and China have been steadily closing the gap and advancing their own anti-ship capabilities, which could prove disastrous to the US Navy should a large-scale war break out.
Assessing Russian Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities
Russia has a long history of developing advanced submarine and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technologies. The Russian Navy operates a diverse fleet of submarines, including nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), and diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs). Key classes include the Yasen-class SSNs, Borei-class SSBNs, and Kilo-class SSKs.
Russia maintains a large fleet of ASW ships equipped with advanced sonar systems, including hull-mounted sonar, towed array sonar systems (TASS), and variable depth sonar (VDS). These systems enhance the detection and tracking of enemy submarines.
The Russian Navy also employs a variety of ASW weapons, such as torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-submarine rockets. The RPK-8 Zapad and RPK-2 Vyuga are notable examples of rocket-propelled torpedoes designed to engage submarines at extended ranges.
Russia utilizes maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) like the Il-38 and Tu-142, equipped with sonobuoys, magnetic anomaly detectors (MAD), and anti-submarine torpedoes. The Ka-27 Helix helicopter also plays a crucial role in ASW operations, providing flexibility and rapid response capabilities.
Russia’s ASW capabilities have seen significant improvements in recent years, driven by modernization programs and increased defense spending. Introducing new platforms like the Yasen-class SSNs and the Borei-class SSBNs has enhanced the overall effectiveness of the Russian Navy’s ASW operations.
However, challenges remain. The Russian Navy faces issues related to maintenance and logistics, which can impact the readiness and availability of its ASW assets.
Additionally, the complexity of modern ASW operations requires continuous training and coordination, which can hinder budget constraints and operational tempo.
Assessing Chinese Anti-Submarine Warfare
China has also rapidly expanded and modernized its naval forces, including its ASW capabilities. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operates a mix of nuclear-powered and diesel-electric submarines, with key classes including the Type 093 SSNs and the Type 039 SSKs.
Like Russia, the PLAN has invested in advanced sonar technologies, including hull-mounted sonar, TASS, and VDS. These systems are deployed on various surface combatants, such as the Type 052D destroyers and Type 054A frigates, enhancing their ability to detect and track submarines.
China’s ASW arsenal includes torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-submarine rockets. The Yu-7 lightweight torpedo and the CY-5 anti-submarine missile are notable examples of China’s indigenous ASW weapons.
The PLAN employs a range of ASW aircraft, including the Y-8Q maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with sonobuoys, MAD, and anti-submarine torpedoes.
The Z-9 and Z-18F helicopters provide additional ASW capabilities, offering flexibility and rapid response options.
Anti-Ship Missiles are a Big Threat
Russia has developed several advanced anti-ship missiles that pose a significant threat to naval forces. The P-800 Oniks, also known as the SS-N-26 Strobile, is a supersonic cruise missile with a range of up to 600 km. It can be launched from ships, submarines, and coastal batteries and is designed to penetrate advanced air defenses, delivering either a high-explosive or nuclear warhead.
Another key missile is the 3M-54 Kalibr, or SS-N-27 Sizzler, which includes anti-ship, land-attack, and anti-submarine variants. The anti-ship version has a range of approximately 660 km and features a supersonic terminal stage to evade defenses.
The Kh-35, or AS-20 Kayak, is a subsonic missile similar to the US Harpoon, with a range of around 130 km, and can be launched from ships, aircraft, and coastal batteries.
The 3M22 Zircon, or SS-N-33, is a hypersonic missile with a reported range of 1,000 km and Mach 8-9 speeds, designed to evade modern missile defenses and strike high-value targets. On paper, no air defenses are currently capable of intercepting it, making it an exceptionally fierce threat.
Russian anti-ship missiles pose a significant threat to the US Navy due to their advanced capabilities and deployment flexibility. The Zircon missile, in particular, represents a new threat level with its hypersonic speed, making it extremely difficult to intercept.
The Kalibr and Oniks missiles also pose substantial risks due to their range and ability to perform evasive maneuvers.
China Has a “Carrier Killer”
China has also made significant advancements in its anti-ship missile capabilities. The YJ-12 is a supersonic missile with a range of up to 500 km, capable of being launched from aircraft, ships, and land-based platforms. It can perform evasive maneuvers and has a high probability of penetrating defenses.
The YJ-83 is a subsonic missile with a range of around 180 km, widely deployed on Chinese naval vessels and aircraft, known for its reliability and effectiveness. The YJ-18, similar to the Russian Kalibr, has a range of approximately 540 km and features a supersonic terminal stage.
It can be launched from ships, submarines, and coastal batteries.
The DF-21D, or CSS-5 Mod-4, is an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) with a range of over 1,500 km, designed to target aircraft carriers and other large naval vessels, using a maneuverable reentry vehicle to achieve ludicrously high speeds and evade defenses.
According to a United States Naval Institute report, if the missile works as advertised, then there is currently no way to defend against it.
The U.S. Navy is in Trouble
The combined capabilities of Russian and Chinese anti-submarine capabilities and anti-ship missiles present a formidable challenge to the US Navy. These missiles are designed to penetrate advanced air defenses and strike high-value targets, such as aircraft carriers and large surface combatants.
The development of hypersonic missiles, like the Russian Zircon and the Chinese DF-21D, further complicates the defense equation, as these weapons are extremely difficult to intercept.
The U.S. Navy has a challenging task ahead, dealing with the increasing capabilities of its adversaries while also addressing its own decline. If the Navy gets too complicit over the next few years, it could find itself at a major disadvantage in the next armed conflict.
Furthermore, the U.S. Navy is a major factor in ensuring security across the seas; losing naval dominance could put the global shipping industry at great risk. The world needs the Navy, and if the US wants to maintain its hegemony, then it’s time to get serious.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
