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America’s submarine dominance is under threat
A U.S. Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine, the USS Annapolis, has left Apra Harbour in Guam and is described as engaging in a silent strategic contest with China and Russia for Pacific dominance. The report details the submarine’s quiet propulsion, extended undersea operations, and the distinctive, cramped life aboard.
Why It Matters
The piece frames a strategic competition in the Pacific involving major powers and highlighting how advanced submarines influence naval balance and deterrence.
Timeline
1 Event
USS Annapolis departs Apra Harbour for Pacific operations
May 9, 2026
The USS Annapolis, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, gets under way from Apra Harbour in Guam. The vessel is described as working in a silent but intensifying contest with China and Russia for dominance of the Pacific. The submarine’s propulsion is noted as quiet, likened to a Tesla, and the crew of about 145 men (and one visiting woman) live largely incommunicado in a windowless, artificial-light environment as they operate far beneath the sea. Life aboard includes a galley that bakes bread daily, with supplies such as bananas and peanut butter stored along the seating, illustrating the cramped, self-contained nature of long deployments.