Following the eight-day holiday of Mid-Autumn and National Day, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy remained active in its training endeavors. Sources indicate that the Yangcheng Lake, a comprehensive submarine rescue ship of the PLA Navy, accompanied by a frigate, passed through the Malacca Strait into the Indian Ocean for a distant training voyage. Despite the Yangcheng Lake’s minimal armament, its arrival in the Indian Ocean has caught the close attention of the Indian military.
Submarines, vital to naval operations, are primary tools for offensive assignments and frontline deployments. The ocean serves as a shield, but also an impediment for submarine operations. When a submarine malfunctions or encounters distress, regular ships are usually ill-equipped for rescue—thus the need for specialized submarine support vessels.
Such vessels are pivotal, not just for their rescue capabilities but also for their roles in the maintenance and supply of submarines, thereby prolonging underwater operations. Recognizing this, the U.S. has constructed two 10,000-ton submarine support ships to ensure the consistent global presence of its attack nuclear submarines.
It’s noteworthy that building these support ships demands sophisticated technology and high expenditure. For instance, when an Indonesian submarine faced challenges in 2021, the absence of a suitable support ship in Indonesia’s fleet led them to seek assistance from the PLA Navy.
The Yangcheng Lake, belonging to the 926-type of comprehensive submarine rescue ships, was inducted in 2010. With a full-load displacement exceeding 9,000 tons, it ranks among the most advanced of China’s submarine support vessels. The ship boasts features like rescue submarines, high-precision sonar systems, and deep-sea diving equipment. Its propulsion system allows seamless speed adjustments, coupled with a highly accurate dynamic positioning system, making it a leader in international standards.
In the past, this vessel has participated in joint naval exercises with Russia and the U.S., showcasing its capabilities. This recent deployment into the Indian Ocean, some believe, could be in coordination with PLA submarines that might have entered the region earlier. This hypothesis stems from the vessel’s history of ensuring safety and support for submarines during extended missions.
The speculation is that the PLA might have dispatched advanced submarines into the Indian Ocean—either the 039B type AIP submarines or the 093 series of attack nuclear submarines. The exact models and numbers remain a matter of conjecture.
With China’s economic and naval strengths growing, the protection of its maritime routes and overseas interests becomes paramount. The Indian Ocean, being a crucial zone for China’s maritime trade routes, naturally draws PLA’s naval attention.
However, India has expressed reservations about the PLA Navy’s presence in the Indian Ocean in the past. They have often monitored Chinese vessels through patrol aircraft and surface ships. Previous instances, such as PLA naval vessels docking in Sri Lanka, have caused unease.
In conclusion, with China’s economic and maritime interests expanding, an increased presence of PLA naval assets in the Indian Ocean seems inevitable. The evolving maritime dynamics will require regional stakeholders, including India, to adapt accordingly.
Source: Wang Yanan