The US Navy continues to enhance its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region by redeploying another nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching long-range Tomahawk missiles from the East Coast to Hawaii to counter Chinese military ambitions.
The Pacific Fleet announced in a press release that the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789) arrived at its new homeport, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Pearl Harbor, on July 22, becoming the third Virginia-class submarine of the Seventh Submarine Squadron. USS Indiana was originally based in Groton, Connecticut.
In recent years, China has been steadily expanding its military presence in the Western Pacific, particularly in its naval capabilities, prompting vigilance from the United States and its regional allies. China has also established a large missile arsenal capable of targeting Japan.
To address China’s growing military threats, the Pentagon has bolstered its military posture in the Western Pacific, including deploying stealth aircraft and aircraft carriers equipped with long-range land-based missile systems, as well as a formidable submarine fleet.
Some of the US Navy’s nuclear-powered conventional weapons fast attack submarines are stationed in the Pacific Fleet in Washington, California, Hawaii, and Guam. Guam, being the closest island to China and a crucial military hub, has hosted five submarines since November last year.
According to a press release from the US Pacific Submarine Force, the submarine squadron stationed in Pearl Harbor currently consists of a total of seven fast attack submarines (three Virginia-class and four Los Angeles-class). Prior to USS Indiana’s arrival, the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Toledo completed a homeport change on July 12 and arrived in Hawaii to become the fourth Los Angeles-class submarine affiliated with the Seventh Submarine Squadron.
In addition to the Virginia-class and Los Angeles-class submarines, the US Navy also has three Seawolf-class fast attack submarines stationed in Bremerton and Bangor, Washington.
These submarines are designed with reconfigurable torpedo rooms to accommodate a large number of special operations forces and their equipment during extended deployments. They are equipped with weapons including Tomahawk cruise missiles and MK48 torpedoes, which can be wire-guided and redirectable while attached to the submarine.
USS Indiana, commissioned in 2018, is the 16th Virginia-class submarine. Unlike some of its older sister ships, it is equipped with two large payload tubes, replacing the previous 12 individual vertical launch tubes. Each tube can launch six Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 1,000 miles.
The US Navy states that the mission of fast attack submarines is to search for and destroy enemy naval vessels, project power from the sea to the shore using missiles and special operations forces, as well as conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Lieutenant Commander Kyle Johnson, commanding officer of USS Indiana, stated in the press release, “We look forward to working alongside the Seventh Submarine Squadron and our partners in Pearl Harbor to ensure USS Indiana—a ‘Battle Bass’—is ready to defend the nation and execute any mission at a moment’s notice.”
Vice Admiral Chris Cavanaugh, commander of the US Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, expressed his satisfaction with USS Indiana joining the Pacific submarine force, enhancing the presence of US submarines to uphold security, prosperity, freedom, and openness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Upon USS Indiana’s arrival at Pearl Harbor, Colonel Corey Poorman, commander of the Seventh Submarine Squadron, met with the crew. Poorman expressed his anticipation of working with the crew of USS Indiana and providing them with the necessary training and certification to maintain their status as top predators in the Indo-Pacific region.