Part 11/16:
While China invests heavily in surface ships like the Fujian, these vessels are vulnerable to submarine attack. American submarines like the Ohio can slip past Chinese anti-submarine defenses, lurking beneath the waves and threatening vital Chinese assets with dozens of Tomahawk missiles launched covertly, often before China even realizes they are present.
Strategic Implications of the Ohio's Deployment
The deployment of the USS Ohio in the region has several critical implications:
- Deterrence and Visibility: The Ohio’s presence is a stark reminder that the U.S. can legally and militarily contest China’s maritime ambitions. It exemplifies a layered defense strategy that relies on persistent submarine presence to outmatch surface-oriented displays of power.