U.S. Navy strengthens presence in South China Sea: Deploys advanced submarine to counter China

In a strategic move to reinforce its presence in the Western Pacific, the U.S. Navy is set to deploy the advanced Virginia-class submarine USS Minnesota to Guam at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. This nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, currently based in Hawaii, will be the first of its class to be permanently stationed in Guam, significantly enhancing the region's next-generation attack capabilities. Lt. Cmdr. Rick Moore, spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, confirmed the deployment to 'Stars and Stripes'

The USS Minnesota will be a cornerstone in the Navy's efforts to maintain "peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," a region where China's expanding naval presence and ambitions have raised concerns among U.S. allies and defense planners. The Virginia-class submarines, known for their stealth, versatility, and state-of-the-art weaponry, represent a key asset in the U.S. Navy’s strategy to counterbalance China’s growing influence and military capabilities in the South China Sea and surrounding waters.

Guam’s strategic significance is further underscored by this deployment. As a U.S. territory within the second island chain, which stretches from Japan to New Guinea, Guam is a critical hub for American military operations in the Indo-Pacific. It hosts several key installations, including Andersen Air Force Base, Naval Base Guam, and the developing Camp Blaz, a major Marine Corps base. The island's location makes it a vital staging ground for U.S. naval power and a pivotal asset in any potential conflict with China, particularly given its proximity to the South China Sea—a focal point of regional tensions.

The deployment of the USS Minnesota also signals a broader shift in the U.S. Navy's capabilities in the region, as it transitions from the aging Los Angeles-class submarines to the more advanced Virginia-class fleet. Throughout 2022, Guam was home to five Los Angeles-class submarines, including the USS Annapolis, USS Jefferson City, USS Asheville, USS Springfield, and USS Key West. However, in early 2023, the USS Key West returned to the U.S. mainland after 35 years of service and is now awaiting decommissioning. The introduction of the Virginia-class, with its enhanced stealth and advanced weaponry, represents a significant upgrade in the Navy's regional capabilities.

The USS Minnesota, armed with Mark 48 torpedoes and equipped with a vertical launching system capable of deploying up to 12 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, will significantly boost the Navy’s operational flexibility and firepower in the Indo-Pacific. These submarines are designed for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Their ability to reconfigure torpedo rooms to support special operations forces and their gear for extended missions adds to their versatility and effectiveness.

The strategic importance of Guam is also highlighted by its inclusion within the second island chain, a key component of the U.S. defense strategy in the Pacific. This chain, along with the first island chain that connects U.S. allies Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, forms a defensive framework reminiscent of Cold War strategies designed to contain China’s naval and air operations during conflicts. Despite being within range of Chinese intermediate-range ballistic missiles, Guam's strategic location makes it indispensable to the Pentagon’s plans, particularly in scenarios involving Taiwan.

A 2022 simulation conducted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies demonstrated the critical role of U.S. submarines, including both the Virginia-class and Los Angeles-class, in a potential conflict scenario involving a Chinese amphibious invasion of Taiwan. The simulation highlighted the submarines' ability to operate stealthily and launch powerful attacks from beneath the waves, proving decisive in disrupting the Chinese fleet. In such a scenario, Virginia-class submarines would be crucial in countering Chinese ballistic missiles aimed at U.S. airbases in Guam and other strategic locations, as well as surface ships targeted by advanced Chinese weaponry, including "carrier-killer" ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

As China continues to enhance its naval capabilities and assert its ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class submarines are expected to play a vital role in maintaining regional stability and deterrence. Despite advancements in Chinese anti-submarine warfare, these submarines are anticipated to remain among the most resilient and survivable platforms in the U.S. arsenal, ensuring that the Navy is prepared to meet any challenges in the region. The deployment of the USS Minnesota to Guam not only underscores the island's strategic importance but also reflects the U.S. Navy's commitment to maintaining a robust and flexible presence in the Indo-Pacific, capable of responding to any potential threats and preserving peace and stability in the region.