Recently, a reporter from Japan’s “Yomiuri Shimbun” stationed on the DDH-184 Kaga helicopter carrier reported that on October 16, when the Kaga entered the South China Sea from the Indian Ocean, it encountered an encounter at the entrance of the Strait of Malacca. An unknown submarine was sailing on the surface. The submarine crossed the strait and dived into the South China Sea before the Kaga. There was no contact between the two parties.

Japan Kaga helicopter aircraft carrier Japan Kaga helicopter aircraft carrier

Yomiuri Shimbun English report Yomiuri Shimbun English report

Ten days later, on October 26, when the Kaga returned to sail, he tried to search for the unknown submarine again. However, neither the ship’s sonar nor the ship’s anti-submarine helicopter could find the target, and was followed by the 054A frigate to avoid Typhoon 26. , Kaga’s anti-submarine search operations had to be stopped.

Previously 054A tracked Kaga number Previously 054A tracked Kaga number

This news is very interesting. According to international law, foreign submarines must float and fly the national flag to show harmless passage when passing through the strait. Therefore, this unknown submarine was in a state of surface navigation and was discovered by the Kaga helicopter carrier. This is a normal operation. . But why did the Kaga suddenly dispatch warships and helicopters to search for the unknown submarine when the Kaga returned 10 days later? Was the Kaga carving a boat for a sword, or was there some subtle changes in the maritime situation at the time, for example, the Japanese suspected that they were being followed?

Ship 170 monitors the Kaga helicopter carrier 170 Ship monitors the Kaga helicopter carrier

In fact, since entering the South China Sea in early September, the Kaga has been cruising in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean for almost three months. During this period, it has not only conducted many battles with the frigates of the 'Lei' and 'Ryotsuki'. A live-fire joint exercise was conducted, and on September 13, an anti-submarine exercise was conducted with the submarine 'Kuroshio' that came from Japan. During the exercise, the Kaga dispatched anti-submarine helicopters to search and expel the foreign submarines played by the 'Kuroshio'.