Virginias aren't terribly different (=technologically superior) from contemporary Astutes(not to a degree that makes them tactically unequal). In fact, Astutes are more traditional, deep water, dedicated hunter-killer subs (mini-seawolf sort of) - and arguably that matters more than the relative US tech advantage.
Virginias'annoyance isn't their direct sub spec quality(they're by default suboptimal) - but their annoying degree of adaptability and all-roundness. They can do almost everything, almost everywhere, and good - and that's a very annoying quality to deal with.
Overall, current stealth performance(by which we mean passive acoustic stealth) for the big 4 sub nations (and China, afaic, is closing the gap faster than it's perceived) is close enough to each other to not bother(mutual detection inequality is measured in hundreds of meters) - unlike aircraft, for subs this approach is an investment of diminishing return(the lesser Db levels, the lower the actual detection range discrepancy.
Well, I think we have to be careful about saying Russian subs are on the same level as British and American subs. Yes, Yasen itself is very quiet, but that's due to it just being humongous which allows Russia to install a lot more noise absorbing materials in there. While that helps noise level, the size of such a boat (13m wide pressure hull) means that Russia struggles to build them. From that sense, it's really not on the same level as the other two nations. I haven't looked enough into the French.
Whereas for China, 093A is just a lot smaller and the hull itself really sucks. So all the newer Chinese quieting technology and combat system/sonar sensoring/communication improvements can only do so much.
I recently just heard from a close contact that China has this innovative feature on its latest subs that can theoretically allow it communicate with MPAs, surface combatants and potentially satellites without needing to reach PD.
That's something even Virginia class does not have or plan to have. PLAN is just more network centric than USN is. So from China's point of view, it can achieve additional stealth for 093A/B (and they clearly are louder than their adversaries) through rest of their system.
Furthermore, Sonars relying on external low-frequency 'lightening' sources(not sure the exact English term) don't give much shit about either, large conventionally-shaped subs are to be visible regardless. That's about Astutes (Virginias, Yasens, SSN21s).
Thus, at least within SCS and provided assets are in place, both are quite trackable.
my sense is that this type of sensors are probably not providing target quality data, so you will still need MPAs to get closer to establish full track.
Furthermore, we always have to keep in mind, that while navy and subs is a highly tech-enabled field, technology is the enabler, not an ultimate determinator.
The average level of UK sub captains is considered to be higher than the US ones. And in subs, individual talent does still matter, as on the frigates of old.
IIRC, a couple years ago there was news/outcry that in a mock duel of two Russian boomers, 667BDR(not even BDRM!) captain wiped the floor with the crew of the newest Borei-A. That's an old, classic Reagan era 'loud cow' for you.
Now add Chinese 093/094 boats into their backyard environment and with this example - and things turn significantly. Worse acoustic isn't really a show stopper for Chinese boats - it's more of a chance for AUKUS boats to somewhat level the playing field - at least within the 1st chain and when the said system is undisturbed/unsupressed.
totally agreed. quality crews do really matter. That's why China building up its SSN fleet and get them in on deployment before 095 joins service is critical
Subs evolve in parallel (their series are long enough) - later Boreys are way quiter than earlier ones, so are Yasens; these boats are build long enough so improvement literally can go boat by boat(Virginia construction cycle is ~6 years, Yasen - ~8-9, - both quite long). And, overall, all of them are within ~comparable silencing brackets; they evolve in parallel.
I'm saying that from what I hear, the latest Yasen class don't compare well with latest VA class despite being a lot larger.
Given the relatively large amount of both research and construction(in sub procurement it means accumulated experience, and is worth a lot) - i'd frankly argue that Russian input is likely more valuable than British/French ones ... and parts where Russia is weaker just happen to be parts where China really doesn't need too much support.
And the part that China does want, the Russians aren't likely to share =). Seriously though, that's a common with the Russians. They are not sharing that much knowledge with China. And in many cases, China might not even get much additional info, but they are alway hungry to get anything and they get walled off
