Possible Chinese Submarine Presence in PNG Waters
Photo: Chinese-flagged "Improved Kilo Class" diesel-electric submarine.
Although China insists that its oceanographic surveys are "contributing to maritime scientific study", defence analysts are aware that information gained for resource purposes has dual use for military purposes. Establishing the baseline data around the nature of the seabed composition and terrain, and the ocean's salinity and thermal layers is useful for planning seabed mining, but also to determine the ideal acoustic conditions for submarine operations.
A December 2015 edition of "The Diplomat" commented on the growing undersea arm of the People's Liberation Army Navy of China. Quoting the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence, The Diplomat reported that China's attack submarine fleet consists of 57 diesel-electric submarines and 5 nuclear-powered attack submarines. Twelve of the diesel-electric submarines are Russian-made "Improved Kilo"-class vessels, most of which were commissioned in 2006. Judging from the recent submarine sighting off Takuu Atoll, it seems that China may already be putting to good use the bathymetric data its survey ships have been gathering in PNG's EEZ.