Originally posted by jetsetter
The information that the US was suprised was false. They did know about this sub, which is a variant of the Kilo for sometime. They were suprised
that it was being shown now. They thought that they would wait. It may of been the rising tensions that prompted them to take out their sub.
Firstly, the sub is not variant of Kilo. It is one of the 035 class sub, which
is old style sub with some modern modification. China has more advanced
039 class sub and Russian's Kilo sub. The sub this topic is talking seems
like another completely new design, and it is said US intelligence assigned
it a new name. But in China, we don't know if it is still classified in 039 class
or will set a new class like 040 class for it.
The event happened near japan sent shock to japan just because
the sub is old and by far not the most advanced in Chinese sub fleet.
Japan is known having the most advanced sub detecting technology
and network.
About this event, there are several versions of story and we don't know
which one will be true. All we know is US & Japan held a joint navy drill
near japan, and in this timing suddenly a 035 class sub surfaced while
it is sailing back towards China, and after it surfaced, soon there comes
a P3 anti-sub plane, and the plane escorted the sub several tens of miles
before the sub dive again into the sea.
One version is like jetsetter said, that US & Japan knew this, but they did
not take any action.
The other version is there are multiple sister subs there monitoring the joint
drill, after they completed the mission and sailing back, one sub surfaced
in order to send message to japan. What is the message ? I guess it is
telling japan that their anti-sub network is not perfect, and better not
mess with America to interfere Chinese taiwan issue.
Which version is true depends on your own judge.