China has unveiled a large underwater vehicle resembling the “Poseidon,” equipped with nuclear propulsion and nuclear warhead capabilities. This vehicle can achieve unlimited range and execute surprise attacks. Utilizing bionic technology, it boasts significant stealth, substantially enhancing underwater strategic nuclear strike capabilities and posing a threat to the United States.
The Chinese version of the Poseidon can travel from Shanghai to San Francisco.
According to reports from the South China Morning Post and other media, China showcased its maritime equipment in Malaysia. Many noticed a uniquely shaped large underwater vehicle, reportedly China’s version of the Poseidon. With a nuclear propulsion system installed, it can easily cover a range of 10,000 nautical miles, enough to travel from Shanghai to San Francisco.
If the reactor is enlarged and ocean current conditions are optimized, reaching the U.S. mainland for a “visit” poses no problem at all. This nuclear-powered platform can carry any warhead, including nuclear ones.
Previously, Russia has made several innovations in nuclear weapons through asymmetric development. The Poseidon torpedo, for example, is nuclear-powered and armed with a nuclear warhead, capable of launching various attacks near U.S. coasts via tsunamis. Underwater nuclear explosions not only cause traditional nuclear blast effects but also generate massive amounts of contaminated water, leading to urban flooding, termed “nuclear flooding.” Such a combination of nuclear and dirty bombs poses a significant threat to major U.S. cities.
The Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, with its nuclear propulsion and warhead, can fly for extended periods, offering virtually unlimited range. These two weapon systems are Russia’s innovations targeting the U.S. ballistic missile defense system.
China believes that the flight pattern of Poseidon is straightforward. By enlarging the underwater vehicle and installing an appropriate nuclear reactor, it too can achieve unlimited underwater range. According to available data, if it travels at a speed of 50 knots, it could reach Hawaii or the U.S. mainland in a short time.
The critical issue is that the current U.S. ballistic missile defense system lacks warning capabilities for underwater targets, especially those below 500 to 800 meters. Even the U.S. ocean sonar system cannot effectively detect such targets, making it difficult to distinguish between a shark and a large underwater vehicle.
If the underwater vehicle is not conventionally structured and uses unconventional materials, such as sharkskin for bionic purposes, coupled with nuclear propulsion and nuclear warheads, its strike capability could be more sudden and practical than traditional, imposing ballistic missiles launched from silos.
Chinese bionic robots have advanced rapidly in recent years. Fish swim like real fish, with realistic tail fin movements and body twists. If materials are developed based on the structure of marine animals’ outer skins, it would be nearly impossible to identify them. Sonar systems would fail to detect such targets as sonar cannot distinguish between metal and other materials.
With improvements in underwater materials, experiments with nuclear propulsion systems, and the potential integration of conventional and nuclear warheads, China’s underwater strategic nuclear strike capabilities will reach new heights.
Russia is currently showcasing its advanced technologies to counter the U.S. and NATO. However, these technologies seem less advanced to the Chinese. Once China understands the principles and technological paths, it will undoubtedly surpass them. If a Chinese version of the Poseidon emerges, it is likely to be more technologically advanced, with higher starting points, and stronger deterrence and strike capabilities than the Russian version.
Should China integrate bionic elements with this technology, the underwater “big shark” could be so inconspicuous that people might approach it for photos, unaware of its strategic weapon capabilities. This development would significantly enhance China’s underwater capabilities. With nuclear propulsion capable of traveling 10,000 kilometers, slight adjustments could turn Poseidons into versatile targets with nuclear or conventional warheads, transforming previous surface threats like aircraft carriers into secret underwater strikes. This will be crucial in enhancing asymmetric maritime combat capabilities. (Du Wenlong)
