Since late November and early December, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have been monitoring and surveilling the activities of Chinese and Russian military air and naval units. In addition to the presence of strategic bombers, ELINT aircraft, and fighter-bombers, the recent detection of a Russian Navy Kilo II-class attack submarine navigating south of Yonaguni Island has been confirmed through the deployment of a P-3C Orion maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on December 3.
As reported by the Joint Staff Office of the Self-Defense Forces, there has been intense activity in the Sea of Japan and areas near the southern archipelagos of Japan since late November. This activity has been led by long-range patrols conducted by H-6 strategic bombers from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and Tupolev Tu-95 bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). Escort aircraft, such as J-16 and Su-35 fighter-bombers, supported by Y-9 ELINT and Y-20 aerial refueling aircraft, were also involved in these patrols.
Japan’s response included deploying F-15J and F-2 fighter jets on multiple occasions to prevent potential violations of sovereign airspace over the southern Japanese archipelagos, as well as deploying various types of patrol aircraft and ships. Notably, on the morning of December 3, a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft confirmed the innocent passage of one of the most modern attack submarines in service with the Russian Navy.
In an official statement released yesterday, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces noted: “On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, around 8:00 a.m., the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed the presence of two Russian Navy vessels in an area approximately 50 km south of Yonaguni Island (Okinawa Prefecture). The vessels identified were an Igor-class rescue tug and an improved Kilo-class submarine, navigating northeast in that area.”
The statement continued: “Subsequently, it was verified that these vessels transited the strait between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands (Okinawa Prefecture) heading northeast towards the East China Sea. This marks the first time a Russian Navy submarine has been confirmed to transit through the area between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands.”
Based on recent reports of Russian Navy activities in the Pacific, it appears that this Kilo II-class (or improved Kilo-class) attack submarine is none other than the B-588 “Ufa.” Commissioned in 2022, it initially served with the Baltic Fleet to familiarize and prepare its crew for its subsequent deployment. As reported in October, the submarine began its transit to the Indo-Pacific region to join the Pacific Fleet.
Throughout its journey, which began in the Baltic, the submarine has been accompanied by the support vessel “Alatau,” making recent port calls in India, Indonesia, and Malaysia for diplomatic visits to strengthen ties with regional navies. Notably, in November, the “Ufa” conducted a PASSEX exercise with the Malaysian Navy.
The detection of this Russian submarine, navigating in innocent passage as shown in the published images, indicates that it is nearing the completion of its transit to join the Pacific Fleet.
The assets of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force involved in this operation included the aforementioned P-3C Orion from the 5th Air Group based in Naha and the replenishment ship “Hamana” from the 1st Replenishment Squadron based in Sasebo.
Cover photo used for illustration purposes.
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