The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) could be working on a new class of nuclear-powered hunter-killer attack submarines. Satellite photos taken by Planets Labs, which have since circulated on social media, purport to show a submarine in dry dock in Huludao Port in Liaoning province, about 430km east of Beijing.
The satellite images, see above for one photos that was taken and given to Reuters, were taken from April 24 to May 4, 2022.
Military analysts couldn’t determine whether it was a new model, or an upgrade of an existing vessel, Reuters reported. However, parts of the craft were covered in a shroud – and experts suggested those sections could house additional missile launch tubes or perhaps a new, quieter propulsion system. Explicit images of any Chinese submarine are rare, but care was being taken to conceal the boat.
Submarines have remained an essential focus of the PLAN, along with aircraft carriers and major surface combatants, and the hunter-killer attack boats have continued to play a dominant role. Unlike the United States Navy’s Submarine Force, the People’s Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force (PLANSF) operates a fleet that includes nuclear and conventional submarines. China was the first Asian country and the fifth global power to design, build, and commission a nuclear-powered submarine successfully.
China currently operates two types of nuclear-powered attack submarines, while a third is also in development. The Type 091 (NATO designation Han-class) was the first indigenously-produced nuclear attack submarine in Asia, and its program dates back to the late 1950s. The first of the boats, Changzheng 1, was launched in 1970 and entered service four years later. It was decommissioned in 2000 and is preserved at the Chinese Navy Museum in Qingdao. Four additional Type 091 boats were constructed, with the last entering service in 1991. Three are still operational.
The subsequent Type 093 (NATO designation Shang-class), a second-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine, was designed to replace the older Type 091 boats. Six are currently in service with the PLANSF. The Type 095 submarines (NATO designation Sui-class) – the planned third-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine is reported to have a substantially reduced acoustic signature, within an improved hull type. Compared to the preceding class, it will reportedly be equipped with a more advanced nuclear reactor, VLS tubes and a greater number of advanced sensors including an improved active/passive flank array sonar and low and high frequency towed sensor array.
A satellite image taken by Planet Labs shows a dry dock in Huludao Port in Liaoning province, China, May 4, 2022. Picture taken May 4, 2022. Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
In addition to the hunter-killer attack submarines, the PLAN currently operates two classes of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines with another under construction. These include the Type 096 submarine (NATO designation Tang-class) of which two of a planned six are under construction; the Type 094 (NATO designation Jin-class) of which six are in service with two more planned; and the Type 092 (NATO designation Xia-class) of which one is currently in service.
It is unclear precisely what type of submarine was spotted in Huludao Port, but the possible addition of vertical launch tubes could add considerable flexibility to the hunter-killer sub force, as it could allow the boat to be armed with more guided missiles.
The PLAN is expected to maintain between 65 and 70 submarines through the 2020s, replacing older units with more capable boats on a near one-to-one basis.
Now a Senior Editor for 1945, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites. He regularly writes about military hardware, and is the author of several books on military headgear including A Gallery of Military Headdress, which is available on Amazon.com. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes.
