Lyle J Goldstein & Andrew S. Erickson 
China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force 

One of the key concerns of naval strategists and planners today is the nature of the Chinese geostrategic challenge. Conceding that no one can know for certain China s intentions in terms of future conflict, the editors of this hot-topic book argue that the trajectory of Chinese nuclear propulsion for submarines may be one of the best single indicators of China s ambitions of global military power. Nuclear submarines, with their unparalleled survivability, remain ideal platforms for persistent operations in far-flung sea areas and offer an efficient means for China to project power. This collection of essays presents the latest thinking of leading experts on the emergence of a modern nuclear submarine fleet in China. Each contribution is packed with authoritative data and cogent analysis. The book has been compiled by four professors and analysts at the U.S. Naval War College who are co-founders of the college s recently established China Maritime Studies Institute. Given the opaque nature of China s undersea warfare development, readers will benefit from this penetrating investigation that considers the potential impact of even the most revolutionary changes in Chinese nuclear submarine capabilities. The editors believe that to ignore such possibilities would be the height of strategic folly and represent inexcusable negligence in terms of U.S. national defense. Anyone who is interested in the future of the U.S. Navy and the defense of the United States will find this book to be essential reading.

About the author

Andrew Erickson is Assistant Professor in the Strategic Research Department of the Naval War College. He is an expert on Chinese and Japanese national security issues. Lyle J. Goldstein is Associate Professor in the Strategic Research Department of the Naval War College. His primary research interests encompass Chinese maritime development and nuclear strategy. William Murray is Associate Professor in the War Gaming Department at the Naval War College. As a retired submariner, his primary expertise concerns Chinese undersea warfare. Andrew Wilson is Professor in the Strategy and Policy Department of the Naval War College. His research centers on Chinese military history and China s classical military writings.