Concerned about falling behind militarily in an increasingly dangerous neighborhood, Japan is considering nuclear propulsion for its next-generation submarines, drawn by the technology¡¯s advantages in terms of range, endurance and submerged operations.
But the strategic role that such subs would play remains unclear, with questions brewing about the costs and benefits, particularly as Japan would likely be unable to deploy these boats between the late 2020s and the early 2030s ¡ª the time frame many believe will be the most dangerous for the growing Sino-U.S. military rivalry.
Should Tokyo decide to go ahead anyway, much would depend on the submarine design, experts say, as this would not only impact the capabilities but also a number of other critical aspects, including costs.
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