Russia is to deliver the advanced 3M-54E1 (NATO codename: SS-N-27) anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) as part of its sale of eight Kilo class diesel-electric submarines to China, according to the U.S. intelligence.
China ordered eight improved Project 636 (NATO codename: Kilo class) submarines from Russia in 2002. As a part of the sale package, these submarines will be fitted with the 300km-range Klub-S submarine-launched ASCM system designed by Novator Design Bureau. The system consists of the 3M-54E1 (SS-N-27) missile and an advanced fire-control system. The Kilo class submarines will probably also be equipped with a Russian-made anti-submarine missile.
According to the report, Russia soon will deliver the first batch of the SS-N-27 missile to China for use on the Kilo class submarines. The same missile has also been sold to India.
U.S. officials believe China is purchasing the weapons in preparation for countering U.S. aircraft carrier battle groups in any future conflict over Taiwan.
Chinese Sub May Have Caught Fire In South China Sea: Japanese Media
File photo of China's Ming-class submarines.
Tokyo (AFP) May 31, 2005 A Chinese navy submarine stalled apparently after a fire broke out aboard the vessel while it was submerged in the South China Sea, a Japanese newspaper said Tuesday. The submarine was being towed Monday above the water by a Chinese vessel towards the Yulin Naval Port on China's Hainan Island, the Yomiuri Shimbun said, citing Japanese and US defense sources.
Japanese and US authorities have been monitoring the vessel, a Ming-class diesel-powered hunter-killer submarine. It was not clear whether there were any casualties, said the top-selling newspaper.
The accident occurred Thursday in international waters about halfway between Taiwan and Hainan Island. It was not known if the submarine surfaced on its own accord.
Three or four Chinese warships were spotted around the site of the accident, and another Chinese submarine was detected, which suggests that the accident may have occurred during a military exercise, the daily said.
The Japanese and US governments believe it will not have an adverse environmental impact on the area because the submarine was not nuclear-powered, the Yomiuri said.
A spokesman at the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force declined to comment.
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