Article Summary: China’s Type 093B nuclear attack submarine is a significant leap in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) modernization efforts. Equipped with pump-jet propulsion for enhanced stealth, vertical launch tubes for YJ-18 anti-ship and DF-10 land-attack missiles, and an advanced hull design, the Type 093B poses a direct challenge to U.S. naval forces in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Point #1 – With China ramping up production, these subs could play a pivotal role in a potential Taiwan invasion, targeting U.S. bases in Japan and disrupting reinforcements.
Key Point #2 – As Beijing prioritizes submarine warfare, the U.S. Navy must prepare for this growing undersea threat.
China’s Type 093B Attack Subs: The Silent Threat Lurking in the Pacific
Submarines are one of the great wildcards in naval warfare. Silent and stealthy, they prowl the depths until the right moment arrives to strike a fatal blow to an enemy vessel.
Submarines can launch a variety of missiles, deploy naval mines, discreetly insert special-warfare teams, and conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions.
For these reasons, Beijing continues to prioritize developing its submarine force. While it has a full plate of regional challenges and operations, Beijing’s target reticle is firmly set on U.S. naval assets and infrastructure in Japan.
With a potent fleet of attack submarines, in addition to its growing surface fleet, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) seeks to displace the U.S. Navy so it can wrest control of its region and eventually assimilate Taiwan.
A key feature of this effort will be the Type 093B attack submarine.
The PLAN Seems Dedicated to a Robust Type 093 Fleet
According to the Congressional Research Service, the PLAN launched two nuclear-powered Type 093B-class guided-missile nuclear-attack submarines between May 2022 and January 2023. Later this year, it could have three operational hulls of this class.
The Type 093B-class displays modern streamlined design features, including a sleek hull and a command tower with a 3D cockpit-style structure. The forward section of the command tower has been seamlessly integrated with the hull, a modification that reduces drag and minimizes noise production.
The Type 093B is 413 feet long and 36 feet wide, and it has a displacement of 6,000 to 7,000 tons with a top speed of 30 knots. This vessel is operated by a crew of approximately 100 officers and sailors.
While it was believed this class would have an initial order of six vessels, it appears the Type 093B has entered serial production. This indicates a high level of system maturity and reliability. It would also signify that the research-and-development units assigned to the program have overcome key technological hurdles and are confident the vessels can be produced in large numbers.
A New Feature for PLAN Submarines
One of the most striking properties of the Type 093B is its set of 12 vertical launch tubes amidships. The addition of missile tubes is a significant advancement over previous Type 093 variants. They provide the Type 093B with additional offensive options to attack surface ships, aircraft, and targets on land (depending on the missile loadout).
It is believed the Type 093B will equip the YJ-18 missile. This is the vertically launched version of the YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missile, which is armed with a 300-kilogram warhead and capable of striking targets beyond 200 kilometers. This missile is also capable of performing maneuvers at speeds up to Mach 3 prior to hitting its designated target.
With regard to land-attack munitions, the Type 093B will likely be armed with DF-10 long-range cruise missiles, which can travel up to 2,000 km with a payload of 500 kg. The DF-10 uses several different guidance modes, including satellite navigation, internal navigation, and a terrain-following radar.
These vessels will be capable of fleet protection and attack operations, but they will also enable the PLAN to attack land targets. The Type 093B provides Beijing with the ability to clandestinely strike targets and hold high-value targets at risk.
Another First for PLAN Subs
The Type 093B also stands out from other PLAN submarines in possessing pump-jet propulsion. Rather than an exposed propellor, the rotor, which has numerous blades to reduce harmonics, is housed in a large sleeve called a duct. Very low clearance between the duct and the blades provide further acoustic reduction. Finally, before the water can make it to the rotor, it passes through stationary stator blades, which smooth out the water flow before it enters the duct.
As stated by Dr. David Kershaw, chief of the Maritime Division within the Defense Science and Technology Group:
“The question of propeller versus pump jet really comes down to the acoustic signature; a well-designed pump jet is considerably quieter than an equivalent propeller. One of the advantages of a well-designed pump jet is that it can smooth out the water flow that is coming off the back of a submarine before the flow hits the moving rotor and there’s less unsteady flow, and thus less noise. This smoothing-out also increases the propulsive efficiency; a well-designed pump-jet can have efficiencies equal to, or better than, an equivalent propeller.”
The Type 093 Challenge for the U.S. Navy
Given their stealth and their variety of missiles, these vessels would likely carry out first-strike missions against the U.S. Navy if China goes forward with plans to invade Taiwan.
Assuming they could evade detection, which would not be easy, they would strike at U.S. bases and naval vessels in the region. They would prioritize bases and infrastructure in Japan, which is the home to the U.S. Seventh Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, comprising 50 to 70 ships and submarines, 150 aircraft, and more than 27,000 sailors and Marines.
Dealing a moderate to substantial blow to this forward-deployed force could hamper its response to an assault on Taiwan. The Type 093B subs could then be deployed to harass and sink follow-on forces making their way to the region to assist with the defense of Taiwan.
The Challenge for the PLAN
The key for China will be to build enough of the Type 093Bs before it invades Taiwan. Given that China currently has 230 times the shipbuilding capacity of the United States, their yards could put several more of these boats in the water in the very near future.
The PLAN’s task will then be to integrate any newly built Type 093s into ranks and ensure their sailors can effectively operate them. If Beijing rushes to put the boats into the water with modestly trained crews and hopes for the best, they could invite disaster.
China’s Submarines: The Photos
SSBN China Submarine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Chinese nuclear missile submarines. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Image: Creative Commons.
About the Author: Christian P. Martin
Christian P. Martin is a Michigan-based writer; he earned a Master’s degree in Defense & Strategic Studies (Summa cum laude) from the University of Texas, El Paso. Currently, he is a research assistant at the Asia Pacific Security Innovation Forum. Concerning writing, he has published several dozen articles in places like Simple Flying, SOFREP, SOF News, and other outlets.
