The U.S. Navy is stepping up anti-submarine warfare programs following the surprise surfacing of an armed Chinese attack submarine within five miles of the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier.

The September 2006 incident involved a Song-class submarine that surfaced undetected and was only spotted by an incoming F-18 jet.

Adm. Tim Keating, commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, told a House hearing March 13, that “at that time, a carrier battle group was not involved in anti-submarine-specific operations. They were doing other things.

“We are re-emphasizing the Pacific — our interest in anti-submarine warfare technology, training and equipment,” Keating said.

Keating said the use of active sonar remains a contentious issue but should not be “restricted in any way."

“The ability to find and fix the submarines like the Song, it depends on our having available the full suite of capabilities and using those capabilities and being trained in those capabilities,” Keating said.

“Song got close, no denying it. They're allowed to be there. It was a harmless event. The Kitty Hawk and all of our carrier battle groups in that part of the world are now taking different measures so as to try and preclude recurrence. But they have as much right to be there as we do.”

U.S. officials said Navy anti-submarine warfare efforts worldwide have atrophied as the result of spending cuts and that the capability is vital because it would be needed in any conflict with China over Taiwan.

China’s military has made targeting U.S. aircraft carriers a high military priority and has purchased advanced missiles and torpedoes, along with developing precision-guided ballistic missiles for use against carriers.

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