Full Breakdown
Russia-China Military Exchange Raises U.S. Concerns Over Submarine Quieting Technology
8/12/2026, 10:18:10 PM
Core Event
Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery warns that Russia is supplying China with “submarine quieting technology,” a capability that could reduce the acoustic signature of Chinese submarines and narrow the United States’ under-sea advantage in a potential Taiwan conflict. Montgomery, co-author of *Axis of Aggressors*, says the transfer reflects a “transactional symbiosis” in which each nation provides the other with capabilities it lacks.
Background & Context
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee in April 2025 that China was receiving “potentially submarine quieting help” from Russia. The same officials noted that China has supplied roughly 70 % of the machine tools and 90 % of the legacy chips used by Russia to rebuild its defense industrial base after the invasion of Ukraine. In return, Russia is alleged to be sharing advanced naval technologies, including the quieting systems that could make Chinese submarines harder to detect in the waters around Taiwan.
Data & Statistics
- 70 % of machine tools used by Russia’s defense sector are reported to come from China.
- 90 % of legacy semiconductor chips supporting Russian weapons production are likewise Chinese-sourced.
These figures were cited by Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, during the same Senate briefing.
Official Statements & Responses
The embassy also emphasized that Taiwan is an internal affair of China and called on the United States to help maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command declined to comment on the specific allegations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Russia is giving incredibly important technology to China. They're allegedly giving them submarine quieting technology,” — Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, co-author of the new book "Axis of Aggressors,"
- “And then China has backstopped the whole thing,” — Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, co-author of the new book "Axis of Aggressors,"
