| AP article so just the first few paragraphs here. From last week. |
TOKYO -- Japan may increase the size of its submarine fleet, officials said, as concerns rise that the expansion of the Chinese navy is tipping the regional balance of power.
The Defense Ministry said a bigger submarine fleet is under consideration, with a firm proposal likely to come as early as December. According to Japanese media reports, the number of submarines would be increased from 16 to 22 over the next four years, a substantial rise that could generate concern from neighboring China.
Though well outnumbered by the Chinese -- who now have about 60 subs -- the Japanese navy's submarine fleet is significantly augmented by U.S. subs deployed throughout the region. Japanese subs are generally believed to be better equipped than many of the Chinese vessels and are hard to detect. |