The Seafox carries a 1. 4-kilogram-shaped charge capable of punching a hole through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, although for the Nord Stream 1 and Crimea Bridge blasts it might have carried larger or even multiple explosive charges. Given those incidents, China may have taken elements from Sweden’s A26 submarine, as seen in its latest SSK. Asia Times has previously reported on China’s Type 39 C/D, which has several design similarities with Sweden’s A26, most notably its angled-sail design. However, it is unknown if the Type 39 C/D design is an outright A26 copy or is the result of common design requirements.

ROV/AUVs such as the Sabertooth and similar models may have been involved in September’s Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline explosion and Crimea Bridge blast. At the same time, China may have taken cues from the incidents in planning a possible attack on Taiwan’s undersea internet cables in a blockade scenario. The Kerch Bridge blast was a highly sophisticated operation. Image: Screengrab Military sabotage is the leading hypothesis behind the Nord Stream 1 blast.

Whoever was behind the explosion may have used combat divers, self-propelled mines or underwater drones to plant the explosive charges that gutted the underwater pipeline, The Economic Times reported. Citing an unnamed military source, The Economic Times states that an attacker can operate an underwater drone from a submarine stationed several nautical miles from the target. The military source said that since the pipeline is a fixed target, it would not be too difficult for a remote attack.

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