Russia to sell Lada class submarines to China: report
Staff Reporter 2012-12-28 08:49
A Lada class diesel-electric submarine. (Internet photo)
After selling 48 advanced Su-35 fighters to China, Russia will sell four Lada class submarines to the PLA under the direct order of President Vladimir Putin, according to Moscow-based newspaper Kommersant on Dec. 20.
The Lada class is an improved version of the Kilo class diesel-electric submarine, equipped with an advanced combat system and running much more quietly than its predecessor. Suggesting that the total price of the four submarines will be US$2 billion, Kommersant said that the contract will be signed by 2015. This means that the PLA Navy would operate the submarines earlier than India and Venezuela. A spokesperson for Rosoboronexport, Russia's major weapon exporter, confirmed the report on Dec. 23.
Source within the Russian military said Moscow will not only sell the four submarines to China but also transfer their technology. Equipped with air-independent propulsion, the Lada class is able to operate beneath the surface for a longer period of time than other similar subs. Since it is quieter, it may also prove a perfect option for the PLA Navy to counter US carrier strike groups.
The agreement may have been reached during the meeting between Putin and Wen Jiabao, China's premier, earlier this month. Since Russia has not sold advanced weaponry to China for a long time, Kommersant said that the sales of Su-35 and Lada class submarine signal an improvement in the relationship between Beijing and Moscow.
Facing a common potential enemy in both Europe and Asia, China is now considered a major partner of Russia to counter the power and influence of the United States. Realizing that China does not impose an immediate threat to Russia, military analysts in Moscow stated that the two countries share a similar outlook regarding the issues of Syria, Iran and North Korea. This is considered the reason why Putin has agreed to sell advanced fighters and submarines to China.
