A retired U.S. Navy rear admiral has warned that Russia may be providing China with submarine-quieting technology, a move that could weaken a longstanding U.S. military advantage in undersea warfare amid escalating tensions over Taiwan.
Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, co-author of the book Axis of Aggressors, told Fox News Digital that Moscow is allegedly transferring technology to Beijing that would make Chinese submarines harder for the U.S. Navy to detect. Such a transfer, if confirmed, could complicate U.S. naval operations in a potential conflict over Taiwan’s status.
Montgomery’s remarks follow reports that China has faced persistent challenges in submarine propulsion and noise reduction despite rapid modernization efforts. Submarine-quieting technology reduces a submarine’s acoustic signature, making it more difficult for adversaries to detect and track underwater vessels. The U.S. Navy has long relied on technological superiority and stealth in undersea warfare to maintain its edge.
The U.S. Navy has not publicly commented on the alleged transfer but has emphasized its submarine force’s reliance on technological superiority and stealth. China’s embassy in the U.S. did not directly address whether Beijing has received Russian submarine-quieting technology when contacted by Fox News Digital.
Military cooperation between Russia and China has drawn scrutiny in recent years, particularly as both nations face increasing tensions with the West. While Beijing and Moscow have described their partnership as adhering to principles of non-alliance and non-confrontation, experts warn that such technological exchanges could shift the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
The alleged transfer comes as Taiwan tensions remain high, with China continuing to assert claims over the self-governing island. The U.S. has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan but has increased military support and naval presence in the region in recent years.
Key context on submarine warfare:
- The U.S. Navy operates one of the world’s most advanced submarine fleets, with a focus on stealth and detection avoidance.
- China has invested heavily in expanding its submarine force, but noise reduction and propulsion remain areas of relative weakness.
- Submarine-quieting technology has been a longstanding priority for Beijing, which seeks to close the gap with U.S. naval capabilities.
Analysts note that if Russia’s alleged assistance proves accurate, it could accelerate China’s efforts to modernize its submarine fleet and pose new challenges for U.S. naval operations in the Pacific. However, the full extent of any technology transfer and its operational impact remain unverified at this time.