ANALYSIS: Under the sea, a fierce contest is roiling Australia's defence experts
Fernandes argued that while the justification for sonobuoys is that it's about freedom of navigation, "it is about supporting the US's wish to conduct reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillance, targeting and other military activities in any exclusive economic zone in the world".
This column approached two leading former defence officials for their analysis of what's really happening beneath the waters.Professor Hugh White, a former deputy secretary for strategy and intelligence in the Department of Defence, believes the Cold War is instructive here: "There was a lot more submarine activity going on between the superpowers than was ever known beyond a very limited circle and we'd be wise to expect that the same is true here.
That means there is "very likely a major campaign" by both sides to prepare for an anti-submarine campaign against the other, he says — by monitoring one another's operations, installing sensors and remotely activated mines on the sea bed for example.The other contest, White says, is nuclear. "China now has significant SSBN [sub-surface ballistic nuclear] capability.
"So if or when war comes there are bound to be surprises on both sides. It might be tempting, after the war in Ukraine has shown the weaknesses in Russian forces, to imagine the Chinese subs are not much good. That would be foolish."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Pelosi effect: foreign delegations queue up to visit Taiwan in defiance of ChinaSince the US speaker’s visit, groups from the US, Japan and Lithuania have arrived in Taipei, vowing they won’t be bullied by Beijing – and more are coming
Read more »
Point of no return: crunch time as China tries to fend off property crashWith the global economy also at a crossroads, it is not just Beijing’s leadership that is in peril, say experts
Read more »
US sends two warships through Taiwan Strait in first transit since Pelosi tripThe strait is a 180-kilometre stretch of water that separates the democratic self-ruled island of Taiwan from mainland China.
Read more »
US sends two warships through Taiwan Strait in first transit since Pelosi tripThe strait is a 180-kilometre stretch of water that separates the democratic self-ruled island of Taiwan from mainland China.
Read more »
US warships sail through Taiwan Strait in first passage since Nancy Pelosi's visitOfficials say US Navy cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam are carrying out an operation in the Taiwan Strait, which could inflame tensions with China.
Read more »