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KenV: Really? Why? Russia's sub fleet is far superior to China's both in terms of quantity and quality. Whatever's good enough to take on the Russian sub threat should be plenty good enough to take on China's.
That is a pretty broad claim KenV, and perhaps a dated, dangerous assumption- especially if you look into the near future. The Russian SSN fast attack fleet is a shell of it's former self and the Chinese are moving ahead rapidly.
As far as SSN's go the Russian Alfa's are gone, and you could likely count the remaining Victor's, Sierra's, and Akulas with barely taking your socks off- and I would question the material condition of several of those hulls. Been quite awhile since a new launch, and the entire fleet has been very negelcted.
New Russian projects, like the Yasen SSN, the Lada diesel boat and the new boomer, have been lingering for decades. Will be interesting to see how many enter full service, if they do.
China is moving ahead with Shangs and Type 095's, and improved boomers and diesel boats. Perhaps their first generation of everything were behind by western standards, but they have been quick to learn/steal/buy and improve on everything. And they have the money to do so- unlike Russia.