To support the territorial claims, China has built the world’s biggest navy, bigger even than the United States’ own. China is making increasingly aggressive territorial claims throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Specifically, the Block V is being designed with one threat in mind: the growing “missile gap” between the US and China in the Pacific region.Ĭhina is currently engaged in one of the most ambitious military build-ups ever China’s navy, air force, nuclear arsenal, and conventional arsenal are all being augmented. So, the Block IV is essentially cutting edge, while the Block V is about adjusting for the future. Three Block IV subs are in service, however, with two more launched and five more under construction. Both boats, the Virginia and the Seawolf, were meant to replace the Los Angeles-class fleet, which had served venerably but has become outdated.Īlready, 21 Virginia subs are in service, the majority of which are Block I-III. By comparison, the Virginia costs just $1.8 billion. The problem with the Seawolf was that the thing just cost too much – $2.8 billion per unit. The Virginia was initially designed as a cheaper alternative to the Seawolf-class submarine, which was cancelled after the completion of just three subs. The advanced warships are expected to improve over the Block I-IV Virginia subs significantly – and could remain in service until the 2070s. Meet the Mighty Block V – The first of the highly anticipated Block V Virginia-class submarines are currently under construction in Groton, CT.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |