Chinese sub pops up in middle of U.S. Navy exercise, leaving military chiefs red-faced

November 10, 2007
Chinese sub pops up in middle of U.S. Navy exercise, leaving military chiefs red-faced

American military chiefs have been left dumbstruck by an undetected Chinese submarine popping
up at the heart of a recent Pacific exercise and close to the vast U.S.S. Kitty Hawk - a 1,000ft
supercarrier with 4,500 personnel on board.

By the time it surfaced the 160ft Song Class diesel-electric attack submarine is understood to
have sailed within viable range for launching torpedoes or missiles at the carrier.

According to senior Nato officials the incident caused consternation in the U.S. Navy.

The Americans had no idea China's fast-growing submarine fleet had reached such a level of
sophistication, or that it posed such a threat.