Q Speaking of China's capabilities, how much of an improvement in those capabilities do they now have, given that they've taken delivery of the final of 12 Kilo subs from the Soviet Union and the accompanying supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles that are on those subs?
ADM. ROUGHEAD: Their capabilities are increasing; there's no question about that. They're investing in a navy that is more technologically advanced. They've investing in a navy that has, at least for now, more regional reach. That's the path that they're taking their navy.
Q Do they pose more of a threat to U.S. carriers now in a Taiwan Strait scenario, where -- because of these new Kilo capabilities?
ADM. ROUGHEAD: Well, I think, as I mentioned, the proliferation of advanced submarine technology, you know, around the world provides those who have it the ability to potentially deny areas. And so that's -- you know, that's the navy that they're building.
Let's go on -- yes, sir?
Never forget that the issue of immediate importance in the near term isn't the ability of China to defeat our Navy and Air Force to control the seas. Once our power is deployed, we will smash the People's Liberation Army Navy.
The issue is whether the Chinese can deny our fleet access to Taiwan in the amount of time it would take China to capture Taiwan. A weaker navy close by and geared up to apply maximum power on day one can deny our smaller forward-deployed naval power access to the close battle zone until it can be reinforced.
Those Kilos in the hands of well-trained crews will compel our carriers to keep at a distance until they are tracked down and killed or neutralized. Even if those Kilos never take a shot at us, they will buy time that the Chinese badly need.
