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South China Morning Post
02-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
China's military reveals details of Type 094 nuclear submarine for first time
Advertisement The sea-based nuclear deterrent is said to have a submerged displacement of 11,000 tonnes, according to information on display during events to mark the PLA Navy's 76th anniversary last week. Posters on display for the open day also said the nuclear submarine had a maximum speed of 30 knots and could operate at a maximum depth of 400 metres. That differs from estimates that the Type 094 had a submerged displacement of 9,000 tonnes, could travel at 20 knots and operate at a depth of 300 metres. The posters also gave details of the Jin-class submarine's size – about 135 metres long, 13 metres wide, and with a surface displacement of 8,000 tonnes. The Type 094 submarine carries JL-2 ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads that have a range of about 7,000km. Photo: AP It is the first time China's military has disclosed the specifications of the strategic deterrence submarine since it entered service in 2007, though it was part of naval fleet review ceremonies in 2018 and 2019.
South China Morning Post
10-02-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Type 094 nuclear submarine is China's ‘King of the South China Sea' in bid for deterrence
Almost a decade has passed since the People's Liberation Army pulled the trigger on President Xi Jinping's plans for a massive overhaul of the world's biggest military. In the fifth of a series on Chinese weapons systems, we look at the country's submarine developments. Advertisement In the depths of the South China Sea , a fully armed black giant glides through the waters – hidden yet ever prepared. Its primary mission is to ensure any move towards nuclear aggression from China's possible enemies – including the United States – is met with devastating consequences. The presence of the Type 094 nuclear ballistic missile submarine marked a significant milestone, with the US defence department describing it as China's 'first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent'. Beijing operates six of the submarines that are capable of firing JL-2 missiles, and possibly the more sophisticated JL-3 missiles that could strike US territory from Chinese shores. The US and its allies closely monitor these giants, which have been observed conducting 'near-continuous' patrols in the contested South China Sea. In June, one of the Chinese subs, which appeared to be the Type 094, made headlines when it surfaced unexpectedly in the Taiwan Strait – a rare and eye-catching event for such a secretive and strategic device.
