By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

In 2015, U.S. defense officials acknowledged an unsettling occurrence a Chinese submarine trailed an American aircraft carrier through the waters near Japan. This incident highlighted the escalating tensions between the United States and China, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where both nations vie for dominance.

The submarine in question, a Chinese Kilo-class fast-attack vessel, shadowed the USS Ronald Reagan for nearly half a day in October of that year. Although there was no evidence of aggressive behavior or communication between the two vessels, U.S. anti-submarine aircraft closely monitored the Chinese sub’s movements.

Then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter downplayed the incident, attributing it to routine surveillance activities often conducted during joint military exercises with Japan. However, concerns lingered regarding the implications of Chinese submarines tracking U.S. surface vessels.

While some experts argue that such encounters provide valuable insight into Chinese naval capabilities, others express apprehension about the potential for misunderstanding or strategic miscalculation. Incidents of Chinese aircraft dangerously close to American planes further compound these concerns.

The incident underscores broader anxieties about China’s expanding naval capabilities, including its ambitious shipbuilding initiatives and development of advanced anti-ship missile systems. As China bolsters its maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific, questions arise about its capacity to impede U.S. naval operations in the region.

Despite the strategic advantages of concealing U.S. vessels within vast ocean expanses, the prospect of Chinese submarines tracking American aircraft carriers remains a significant concern. While the 2015 incident did not result in any hostile encounters, it serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics shaping naval operations in contested waters.

Looking ahead, analysts anticipate continued scrutiny of U.S.-China maritime interactions as both nations assert their influence in the Indo-Pacific. The incident involving the USS Ronald Reagan serves as a harbinger of potential future confrontations and underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of naval activities in the region.