A lone submarine patrols the vast ocean. Original illustration by SOFREP.
It looks like the depths of the Western Pacific are about to get a lot more crowded — and a lot more competitive.
China’s submarine force, long shrouded in secrecy, is undergoing a dramatic training overhaul designed to transform it from a coastal defender into a long-range, aggressive player.
This shift, detailed in a new report published in January by the China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) at the US Naval War College, has the potential to reshape the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.
From Rigidity to Realism: Redefining Chinese Submarine Training
The CMSI report dives into the specifics of China’s training revamp. Gone are the days of Soviet-era rigidity, when rote maneuvers and coastal patrols were the norm.
Today, Chinese submariners are thrust into hyper-realistic training scenarios that push them and their equipment to the absolute limit.
“These exercises are no cakewalk,” explains Dr. Terry Hess, co-author of the CMSI report. “They simulate wartime conditions, with complex tactical situations, challenging maneuvers, and the ever-present threat of enemy detection.”
This increased realism comes at a cost, highlighting the immense strain placed on crews.
Longer deployments keep them at sea for weeks, even months, at a time. Confined spaces, coupled with the constant hum of machinery and the ever-present threat of danger, take a toll on mental and physical well-being.
It looks like the depths of the Western Pacific are about to get a lot more crowded — and a lot more competitive.
China’s submarine force, long shrouded in secrecy, is undergoing a dramatic training overhaul designed to transform it from a coastal defender into a long-range, aggressive player.
This shift, detailed in a new report published in January by the China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) at the US Naval War College, has the potential to reshape the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.
From Rigidity to Realism: Redefining Chinese Submarine Training
The CMSI report dives into the specifics of China’s training revamp. Gone are the days of Soviet-era rigidity, when rote maneuvers and coastal patrols were the norm.
Today, Chinese submariners are thrust into hyper-realistic training scenarios that push them and their equipment to the absolute limit.
“These exercises are no cakewalk,” explains Dr. Terry Hess, co-author of the CMSI report. “They simulate wartime conditions, with complex tactical situations, challenging maneuvers, and the ever-present threat of enemy detection.”
This increased realism comes at a cost, highlighting the immense strain placed on crews.
Longer deployments keep them at sea for weeks, even months, at a time. Confined spaces, coupled with the constant hum of machinery and the ever-present threat of danger, take a toll on mental and physical well-being.
The report cites instances of sensory degradation, eating disorders, and sleep disturbances among submariners.
Command Revolution: Empowering Captains for a New Era
The new training program also emphasizes a cultural shift within the submarine force.
Traditionally, Chinese submarine commanders operated under close supervision, with senior officers often onboard to “babysit” their decisions.
This new approach empowers captains to take initiative and react flexibly to changing situations.
“It’s a move towards a more Western-style model, where commanders are entrusted with making critical decisions in the heat of the moment,” says Dr. Hess.
However, the report cautions that this newfound autonomy may not translate seamlessly.
China’s military culture still emphasizes obedience to superiors.
Granting more freedom to captains may lead to confusion or hesitation in high-pressure situations.
Another key focus of the training revamp is interconnectivity.
Gone are the days of solitary hunters prowling the depths.
Today’s Chinese submarines are expected to work collaboratively with surface ships, aircraft, and other underwater assets.
Mastering this “informatization” aspect of warfare requires extensive joint training exercises, where crews learn to share targeting data and coordinate attacks in real-time.
The Unknown: Can China Translate Training into Real-World Prowess?
The success of China’s training overhaul remains to be seen.
The report acknowledges the secrecy surrounding the Chinese submarine force, making it difficult to assess the true effectiveness of the new program.
(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Open-source information, gleaned primarily from Chinese military publications, offers limited insights into crew proficiency and overall combat capability.
“The question remains,” says CMSI co-author Christopher Sharman, “can China’s submariners translate these grueling training exercises into real-world combat effectiveness?”
The answer to that question might lie thousands of miles away in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Similar claims were made about the modernization of the Russian military, only to be dashed by their performance on the battlefield.
“China’s submarine force is undoubtedly improving,” says Sharman, “but achieving true mastery requires more than just grueling training. It demands a cultural shift within the military, a willingness to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and a battle-tested mettle that can only be forged in the crucible of real combat.”
A Redefined Balance of Power: The Implications for the Region
The implications of China’s revamped training program are far-reaching.
A more assertive Chinese submarine presence in the Western Pacific could raise tensions with neighboring countries like Japan and Vietnam and potentially challenge the long-held dominance of the US Navy in the region.
The coming years will be critical in determining whether China’s silent service can truly live up to its new, aggressive posture.
The answer will lie not just in the depths of the Pacific, but also in the hearts and minds of the submariners themselves.
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