MANILA, Philippines – One of the United States’ newest submarines has arrived in Subic Bay, Zambales, which is near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, the US Navy reported.

USS North Carolina, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, arrived at Subic Bay in Zambales last Sunday, May 13, the US Navy said.

The visit, which aims to showcase “the latest capabilities of the (US) submarine force,” comes as the Scarborough Shoal standoff between the Philippines and China entered its 5th week.

It is unclear if the visit is also connected to the standoff.

China has shown agitation over US involvement in the Scarborough Shoal dispute.

Top submarine

The US Navy described North Carolina as the 4th submarine in the Virginia class, the Navy’s newest class of submarines, and the first ship designed for the post-Cold War environment.

It is over 350 long and weighs over 7,800 tons when submerged, added the US Navy, which described it as “one of the stealthiest, most technologically advanced submarines in the world.”

“It brings to the region the capability to conduct the full spectrum of potential submarine missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and mine warfare,” the Navy said.

Commissioned in 2008, North Carolina has a crew of 133 and is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. – Rappler.com

Click on the links below for more. 

• Scarborough in the eyes of Filipino-Chinese
• CONVERSATIONS: What are your thoughts on the rising tension between the PH and China over #Scarborough?
• China sends more ships to Scarborough
• Taiwan to PH, China: Scarborough is ours
• China: We’re not bullying PH ships in Scarborough