Owen R. Coté Jr., “Assessing the Undersea Balance Between the U.S. and China”–A Must Read!
This is simply the best net assessment of Sino-American undersea warfare capabilities that I have yet seen. If you only have time to read one study on this vital subject, it should be Coté’s. He offers valuable education on relevant technologies and related principles for all but the most specialized experts.
Owen R. Coté Jr., “Assessing the Undersea Balance Between the U.S. and China,” MIT Security Studies Program Working Paper, February 2011.
This paper will assess the undersea balance between the U.S. and China by comparing their relative abilities to accomplish their respective undersea warfare objectives. I will assess both the current balance, and how it might evolve in the future. In the latter case, I will focus on opportunities each side will have to adopt competitive strategies, or strategies designed to exploit its unique strengths or its opponent’s weaknesses in ways that create favorable asymmetries in the resources that must be committed to accomplish particular missions.
For publications cited in Coté’s paper, see:
Andrew S. Erickson and David D. Yang, “Using the Land to Control the Sea? Chinese Analysts Consider the Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile,” Naval War College Review, 62.4 (Autumn 2009): 53-86.
Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and William S. Murray, “Chinese Mine Warfare: A PLA Navy ‘Assassin’s Mace’ Capability,” Naval War College China Maritime Study 3, August 2009.
For other CMSI publications on Chinese undersea warfare, see:
Andrew Erickson, Gabriel Collins, Lyle Goldstein, and William Murray, “Chinese Evaluations of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force,” Naval War College Review, 61.1 (Winter 2008): 68-86.
Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, William S. Murray, and Andrew R. Wilson, eds., China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2007).
