China maps the ocean floor as it prepares for submarine warfare with U.S., Pg14

Key Highlights:

• China is conducting extensive undersea mapping and monitoring operations in the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic oceans.
• The operation involves dozens of research vessels and hundreds of sensors, collecting data crucial for potential submarine warfare.
• Research vessels like Dong Fang Hong 3 have been active near Taiwan, Guam, and strategic locations in the Indian Ocean.
• The collected data helps China understand subsea conditions for deploying submarines and locating adversaries.

Detailed Insights:

• China's ocean mapping includes civilian purposes like surveying fishing grounds and mineral prospecting, but also serves military objectives.
• The seabed-surveying effort focuses on waters around the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, and near U.S. military facilities on Wake Atoll.
• Experts suggest China aims to develop an expeditionary blue-water naval capability built around submarine operations.
• The U.S. Navy acknowledges China's expanded surveying efforts, raising concerns about potential military intelligence collection.
• The U.S. has also revamped its ocean mapping efforts, typically using military vessels that can disable tracking systems.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Submarine Warfare: Naval operations involving submarines for combat and strategic purposes.
• Blue-water Navy: A maritime force capable of operating globally, across deep oceans.
• Maritime Chokepoint: A narrow passage or strait critical for maritime commerce and naval transit.