China's Submarine Surge: Can the US Keep Up?

China is building nuclear-powered submarines at a sharply increased rate. This acceleration is now a direct challenge to US naval power in the Pacific, according to a new report. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) released its findings this month. The key question is whether China can turn this faster production into real military and strategic advantage. For years, China's submarine expansion was mainly about shipyard activity. Now, analysts say the focus is shifting. The buildup is testing the balance of undersea power in critical waterways. Nuclear submarines are a key part of modern naval strategy. They can stay submerged for long periods, making them hard to detect. A larger fleet allows a navy to project power over greater distances. The IISS report suggests the Pacific's underwater domain is becoming a primary arena for US-China competition. The speed of China's production is putting pressure on traditional US maritime dominance.