Satellite photos show China is building 5 more nuclear submarines

Planet Lab satellite photos reveal that two of China’s four JIN (or 094)-class subs are undergoing maintenance or repairs at the Bohai shipyard. Three submarines are being built at Longpo and two subs are being built at the Bohai shipyard.

Analysts Catherine Dill and colleague Jeffrey Lewis found that China had one more nuclear submarine in development than previously believed. This was reported by Patrick Tucker at Defense One.

3 thoughts on “Satellite photos show China is building 5 more nuclear submarines”

  1. They are Ballistic Missile submarines. The Chinese attempt to improve their nuclear deterrence. Right now the Chinese nuclear deterrence would be severely crippled by a first strike from either the US or Russia. I would assume they will build a few more until they feel safe.

  2. I assume these will be super quiet subs? Nuclear? Electric drive subs have come a long way and the US Government is quite disturbed regarding Russia’s virtually undetectable subs.

  3. They are Ballistic Missile submarines. The Chinese attempt to improve their nuclear deterrence. Right now the Chinese nuclear deterrence would be severely crippled by a first strike from either the US or Russia. I would assume they will build a few more until they feel safe.

Comments are closed.