The PLA is boosting its maritime capability by commissioning world-class missile destroyers. (Photo : CFP)
The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA) is set to deploy five Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines, equipped with JL-2 submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), according to the Times of India.
The report follows an earlier visit of Chinese Type 039A Yuan-class diesel-electric submarine to the Pakistani port of Karachi in May.
Currently, the Indian Navy has 13 tradionally powered submarines. Meanwhile, China has 51 diesel-electric and an additional five nuclear-powered submarines.
The report added that the country will put the five Type 094 Yuan-class underwater vehicles into operation in the near future. It further remarked that the JL-2 SLBMs, which are equipped in the said submarines, pose threat to India's national security.
The May visit of the Type 039A submarine caught the attention of the media in India, considering that Pakistan is not only its great rival but also one of China's closest allies. Reports have surfaced that Pakistan is the likely base of PLA Navy in its effort to project power in the Indian Ocean.
According to media outlet India Today, the Yuan-class submarine stayed for about a week in Karachi for maintenance purposes.
Admiral Robin Dhowan, India's naval staff chief, said in an interview that India will be closely monitoring the activities of the Chinese submarines.
Dhowan also stated that now is the high time to pay attention to such matter, citing how during the Cold War, members of NATO worked hand in hand to monitor the Atlantic Ocean activities of Soviet submarines.
