anti-sub capability advancement of PLAN.

RedMercury said:

Of course, these are basic concepts in machine learning. Pfffft.

So tell me, how is learning probabilistic models of signals and then using these models to detect them amongst noise not a prototypical machine learning problem?

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The machine learning can only solve very limited task of these in real world. That's my point.

szbd said:

That's why I mentioned sound in water almost never travel in strait line.

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Somehow you also forget that's not hard to solve either by triangulation from different hearing sources.

what about anti-torpedo interceptor? anyone?

I'm not an expert on this, and please correct, but I think one of the difficulties of an anti-torpedo system is accuracy and response time of underwater sensors. Unlike radars, sonars have lower angle accuracy and slower update frequency. This makes the task of intercepting a torpedo more difficult.

IMO Vietnam purchased the Kilo subs because they have no means to match up on surface fleet. So you go underwater to present a credible deterrent. Worse case, it's still easier to sneak away in a sub than a surface ship. It's a strategic decision to get the most bang for the buck.

Now on the selection of Kilo subs, I agree with tphuang that Vietnam should have considered other options to the Kilo, assuming that the EU are willing to sell.

Going back to the original question, the PLAN's ASW capability is weak compared to its East Asian neighbors. The JMSDF operates 80 P-3C and 130 SH-60J/K, built locally by Kawaksaki and Mitsubishi.

The PLAN has no dedicate large ASW helo, and few ships with hangers for more than one helo if any. There is no over the horizon ASW missile along the lines of VLA or the new system the Italians and French are developing from Otomat, or Russia's Silex missile. One does not see many towed arrays on PLAN ships either. ASW weapons are confined to light weight torpedos and simple mortars, good only against shallow subs if that. The thick pressure hulls of an Akula or Virginia would not be touched by a mortar, though one might get a lucky hit on the prop, a control surface or the sonar dome and do some damage.
The PLAN, like the Russians, intends to use the ASW mortars as a torpedo defense, firing patterns of mortars at the incoming torpedo.