At the Halifax International Security Forum, U.S. Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, raised concerns about potential transfers of advanced Russian submarine technology to China and North Korea. He warned that such cooperation could erode the U.S.’s long-standing undersea dominance, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where tensions are already heightened.
According to Admiral Paparo, Russia is poised to share submarine technology with China, enhancing the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. This transfer could help China overcome its technological gaps, particularly in submarine quieting systems and combat capabilities.
While the U.S. Navy maintains technological superiority, China’s naval fleet is the world’s largest in terms of size, and its growing reliance on nuclear-powered submarines presents a significant challenge.
Paparo also noted China’s pivotal role in sustaining Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, providing 90% of the semiconductors and 70% of the machinery required to rebuild Russia’s military-industrial complex. This bilateral relationship is described as a “transactional symbiosis,” where both nations fulfill each other’s operational and strategic needs.
The transfer of Russian submarine technology to China could diminish the U.S.’s competitive edge in undersea warfare. Quieting technology—crucial for evading detection—and advanced combat systems are among the key capabilities that could narrow the gap between Chinese and U.S. submarines.
Mark Montgomery, a retired U.S. rear admiral and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, emphasized that Russian submarines, while behind U.S. designs, remain second or third globally, depending on the inclusion of the U.K.’s fleet.
The potential technology exchange comes amid China’s broader maritime assertiveness, including operations around Taiwan and the South China Sea, and its increasing military collaboration with Russia through organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS.
In addition to China, Russia is reportedly preparing to transfer missile and submarine technology to North Korea in exchange for artillery and personnel support in its war against Ukraine. North Korea has already provided Russia with thousands of artillery shells and up to 11,000 troops.
