Bates College Journal of Political Studies
Abstract
This paper aims to determine the balance between submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in the modern day and evaluates how this balance informs the current offense and defense balance in international relations. This paper aims to determine whether SLBMs are still the great stabilizer that they have been historically described as, and if it is their efficacy that matters or merely their perception. This paper will evaluate the progression of SLBM and ASW technology over the past couple decades and where these technologies stand in relation to one another today. This exploration is grounded in two case studies: a modern example of the relationship between the United States and China and a historical example between the United States and the Soviet Union. Through exploring the limitations of the Chinese nuclear arsenal relative to the United States, this paper will extrapolate some takeaways regarding the efficacy of these technologies as deterrants, specifically in an asymmetrical relationship. Additionally, through being able to evaluate the entirety of the nuclear relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States, this paper is better able to make judgments about how current trends could influence future behavior and the motivation behind current posturing. The paper concludes that SLBMs most likely remain stabilizing at a broad level, but their deterrent value has diminished. As perception of SLBM survivability erodes, states face renewed incentives for arms racing and first-strike behavior.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Rosen, Theodore M.
(2025)
"SLBMs vs ASW: The Race for Deterrence,"
Bates College Journal of Political Studies: Vol. 2:
Iss.
1, Article 14.
Available at:
https://scarab.bates.edu/bjps/vol2/iss1/14