The Chinese publication Baijiahao suggested that Beijing could offer Moscow an exchange: ten modern Project 055 destroyers for one Project Borei-A strategic nuclear submarine. The authors note that this hypothesis arose against the backdrop of US plans to deploy four submarines at the Sterling base in Western Australia — a move that China perceives as an element of containment.
From a technical point of view, the Russian Project 955A SSBNs really stand out on the world stage. According to information from open sources, the Borei is among the quietest underwater carriers: the level of acoustic signature is comparable to background oceanic noise. Armament includes 16 R-30 Bulava ballistic missiles with a range of over 9,000 km, capable of carrying several individually guided warheads. Autonomous navigation lasts up to 90 days, immersion depth — working depth up to 400 m, maximum — over 500 m.
The Chinese side, according to Baijiahao analysts, is interested in access to such solutions: this would strengthen the underwater component of the PLA Navy in the face of the growing presence of the US fleet and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region. Type 055 destroyers, the largest and most technologically advanced surface warships of Chinese production, are being considered as "currency" for a possible deal. Their displacement is about 12,000 tons. The board is equipped with universal vertical launchers for 112 cells, an integrated radar system with an active phased array, and the possibility of using YJ-21 hypersonic missiles is provided.
However, Baijiahao analysts themselves point to the low probability of such a scenario. They emphasize that for Russia, the Borei are not just combat units, but an element of strategic deterrence, carriers of unique technologies in the field of stealth, energy efficiency and combat control. The transfer of these solutions, even to a strategic partner, carries the risk of diluting technological sovereignty.
Read more materials on the topic:
- The newest nuclear submarine "Knyaz Pozarsky" with intercontinental "Bulava" missiles completes state tests
- The Northern Fleet has successfully mastered the Borei-A nuclear missile carriers with the intercontinental Bulava
- The main problem of diesel-electric submarines has been solved in Russia: now they will lie on the bottom
