bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Liu Zhen

Multiple sightings of Type 094 submarines transiting in the Taiwan Strait may be a sign that the PLA’s nuclear submarines and missile technology has matured, according to an influential mainland magazine.
The sightings also suggest that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has at least two ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) with four crews on standby around the clock to act as a nuclear deterrent and counter-strike force.
The assessments were reported in the July edition of Ordnance Industry Science Technology, a military magazine published by the Shaanxi Association for Science and Technology.
The most recent series of sightings were in mid-June, when a PLA submarine with a hunchback body shape was seen by Taiwanese fishermen just west of the strait’s median line, the report said.
The vessel’s profile suggested it was a Type 094, a nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine.
A surface warship was following closely towards the mainland, and the submarine did not submerge again until it was out of sight, the report quoted witnesses as saying.
The median line is an unofficial boundary that splits the 180km (112-mile) waterway, separating the self-ruled island from mainland China. Beijing does not recognise the line.
With an average depth of just 60 metres, complex terrain and active underwater volcanoes, the Taiwan Strait is a dangerous place for submarines. Subs are at risk of being stranded, colliding, or attracting the attention of an anti-submarine capability presence, according to the magazine.
Yet in November 2021, commercial satellites spotted another PLA ballistic missile submarine on a surface voyage in the strait and escorted by a surface ship.


The vessel was heading north from a PLA naval base in Yulin, in southern China’s Hainan province, and likely headed for Bohai Shipyard in Liaoning in northeastern China. There were also similar witness reports in 2020.
“This means China’s integrated technologies of SSBNs and the submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) are mature,” the report said, adding that the vessel and crews, as well as the command chain and the logistics for operation, were all combat ready.
“This capability was [previously] only possessed by the United States and Russia.”
The report was part of a series of articles to mark the 70th anniversary of the PLA’s submarine force and its author was only identified by the name “Ma Ke”.
Commenting on the June transit, the author said it was unusual for a ballistic missile submarine to surface –the vessels are meant to be as stealthy as possible when on duty and can stay months underwater.
The submarine was spotted in an area of water that was only 45 metres (148 feet) deep – particularly dangerous conditions for a heavy tonnage submarine such as the Type 094 to submerge in.
The report said it was unlikely the submarines surfaced because of a malfunction given that it happened a number of times. Going through the Taiwan Strait instead of the Bashi Channel or Miyako Strait east of Taiwan was also a shorter route from the South China Sea to the shipyard in the north for routine maintenance.
“Rather than risking a pointless underwater passage, it would be better to surface openly and sail normally under the protection of escorting ships,” it said.


The timing of the Type 094 appearance soon after the PLA’s “Joint Sword-2024” exercise surrounding Taiwan also suggested the submarine could have been making an added show of force to the island’s new administration who took office in late May, it said.
The Type 094 ballistic missile submarine – which bears the Nato code name Jin-class – was regarded as China’s “first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent” by the US Department of Defence when the ship entered service in 2007. It now forms a core part of China’s nuclear capability.
According to the Pentagon’s 2023 China Military Power Report, the PLA Navy has been operating at least six of the nuclear-powered SSBNs .
Its 12 JL-2 ballistic missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, have a range of about 7,000km (4,350 miles) – meaning they could hit the northeast of the United States from off the Chinese coast.
The latest version Type 094A – which has been active since 2020 – is reportedly quieter and carries the more powerful JL-3 ballistic missiles with a range exceeding 10,000km – putting almost all the American mainland within striking distance from the South China Sea.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to arm Taiwan.


Chinese scientists increase fighter jet afterburner efficiency to nearly 100%: study

Alarm in Taiwan over quiet change to air raid alert threshold

New coating can make China’s stealth aircraft invisible to anti-stealth radar: study

Beijing blames US after defence chiefs’ talks rejected, cites support for Taiwan

China’s military

What do Taiwan Strait sightings of Type 094s say about China’s nuclear sub force?

A PLA nuclear-powered Type 094A Jin-class ballistic missile submarine was spotted surfacing in the Taiwan Strait in June. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan earmarks billions to build 7 more submarines in bid to deter possible PLA attacks

Taiwan has approved funding for another seven submarines to be based on this prototype, the Hai Kun, which was unveiled in September 2023. Photo: Reuters

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te said last year that he intended to build another seven of the Hai Kun class submarines. Photo: EPA-EFE

Taiwan the biggest issue in US-mainland China ties, experts at Xiangshan defence forum say

Chinese Lieutenant General He Lei said the US “does not want China to be unified”. Photo: AFP

Wu Xinbo, head of Fudan University’s Centre for American Studies, said Beijing, Washington and Taipei were “making preparations for the worst-case scenario”. Photo: AP

The annual Xiangshan security forum opened in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: AP

China sets a new record in South China Sea submarine communication test

China is showing its dominance of underwater communications, with a new record set during recent testing of a new technology featuring a powerful method of data encoding. Photo: AFP

Taiwan starts work on coastal anti-ship missile bases for US-made Harpoon weapons

Photo: AFP 

Taiwan is expected to get 100 land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems under a 2020 deal with the United States. Photo: AFP

Despite new nuclear submarine, India still lags China in naval strength

The INS Arighaat, India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Photo: Handout

India’s INS Arihant submarine in 2016, the year it was commissioned. Photo: Reuters

India’s first domestically built Scorpene-class attack submarine is seen in Mumbai in 2015. Photo: Xinhua

A type 094 Jin-class nuclear submarine Long March 15 of the Chinese navy near Qingdao, Shandong province, in April 2019. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

A video capture of the INS Arighaat during a sea trial. Photo: Handout

News

China

Military

Chinese magazine says surfacing of vessels point to combat-ready crews, command chain and logistics


Chinese magazine says surfacing of vessels point to combat-ready crews, command chain and logistics.
