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The United States has strengthened its submarine partnerships with Japan and India following a recent joint submarine patrol by Russia and China. Newsweek reached out to the Russian defense and foreign ministries for comment via email, but received no response from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
### Why It Matters
The U.S., Japan, India, and Australia form the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). This strategic grouping shares a vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific region” to counter China’s growing assertiveness. Russia and China have maintained a partnership without limitations since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, aimed at challenging America’s military supremacy. As part of their cooperation, Moscow and Beijing recently conducted a submarine patrol in the Asia-Pacific.
India, a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by Russia and China, was hit with U.S. tariffs over its purchases of Russian oil. This prompted closer ties among Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi as the three leaders met at a regional summit on Monday.
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### What To Know
Photos released by the U.S. Navy show that sailors assigned to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force attack submarine JS Taigei visited the Naval Submarine Training Center in Guam on August 22. They conducted joint training with the U.S. Navy.
Guam, part of a north-south defensive line known as the Second Island Chain, serves as a major hub for military power projection against China and is home to five U.S. submarines.
The U.S. Navy said the Naval Submarine Training Center uses advanced teaching techniques to develop skills needed to support operations involving submarines assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Students include international trainees from foreign nations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy submarine tender USS Frank Cable arrived in Chennai, India, on August 24 for a port visit. The vessel is designed to provide maintenance, services, and logistics support to deployed submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific region.
During its visit, which ended on August 27, the Frank Cable moored alongside the Indian submarine INS Sindhuvijay to demonstrate its ability to maintain and repair submarines. Indian naval officers also observed demonstrations from the vessel’s repair department.
### What People Are Saying
U.S. Navy Captain Mike Thompson, commanding officer of USS Frank Cable, said in a press release on August 27: “Sharing knowledge and demonstrating our repair expertise reinforces our commitment to our partners and allies in the region.”
Japan’s defense white paper 2025 commented: “Cooperation and collaboration with our ally and like-minded countries is critical. The Alliance with the United States is a key pillar of our national security policy and the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
### What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the U.S. will continue its military partnership with India amid growing tensions between Washington and New Delhi over trade issues.
