China's rapidly growing naval-based arsenal, which boasts of advanced guided-missile warships and submarines, can pose a serious threat to the United States, claimed country's naval intelligence report.
The report, released by the Office of Naval Intelligence, revealed that China's current naval force of 300 surface ships, submarines, amphibious ships, and missile-armed patrol craft is rapidly expanding.
The naval intelligence report stated that deployment of the new YJ-18 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile on warships and submarines poses a major threat to U.S. and allied vessels, the Washington Times reported.
Describing China's emerging navy as 'well equipped' and 'competent force', the report observed that major qualitative improvements are occurring within naval aviation and the submarine force, which are increasingly capable of striking targets hundreds of miles from the Chinese mainland.
