Southeast Asia nations boosting submarine orders amid US-China rivalry

The growing acquisition of submarines by Southeast Asian countries was driven by the rivalry between the US and China, analysts said

For many navies, the decision to purchase submarines stemmed from the belief that they might not be considered ‘proper navies’, another analyst said

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Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut. Photo: US Navy handout/TNS/File

Published: 8:00am, 28 Dec 2022Updated: 3:30pm, 29 Dec 2022

Southeast Asian nations increasingly view submarine development as a necessity for their security amid changing geopolitical realities, but while some analysts say the move is “logical and necessary”, others have questioned the usefulness of the vessels due to exorbitant costs and the disadvantages of manoeuvring through regional waters.

Within the region, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar currently have submarines, while Thailand, and the Philippines are in the process of acquiring them.

Earlier this month, Singapore embarked on its next phase of submarine development with the newly built Invincible-class submarines made in Germany.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during the launch that given the island state’s status as a maritime nation, its navy had a crucial mission of ensuring its survival and keeping open its sea lines of communication.

Aristyo Darmawan, lecturer in international law at the University of Indonesia, said the growing acquisition of submarines by Southeast Asian countries was driven by the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.