Here’s the thing: China got a massive jumpstart in the aviation industry, thanks to a lot of help from the Russians, Israelis, and even the Americans. The U.S., with its usual foreign policy missteps, thought that helping China develop its aviation sector would pull them away from the Soviets. So, they gave them a hand in building their aircraft industry. On top of that, China was able to bring in a lot of Soviet talent, which further boosted their progress.
But when it comes to submarines, that kind of assistance didn’t happen. Unlike aviation, nobody really helped the Chinese out much in their submarine industry. Submarines are way more tightly controlled by both the U.S. and Russia, and it’s a lot harder to steal or get access to that technology. So, the Chinese have been slower in that field.
In aviation, they’ve managed to produce something like the J-20, which is a bit behind the F-35 but still impressive. But when it comes to submarines, they haven’t been able to produce anything equivalent to a Rubis or Akula-class, which are considered 3rd-gen. Now, the 4th-gen subs—like the Yasen, Seawolf, Virginia, Suffren, and Astute classes—are even more advanced. China’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine, the Type 095, may barely on surface level may match 3rd gen but may short fall of capabilities of true 3rd-gen subs like the Rubis AMETHYST, Akula, or Trafalgar.
