Type 094 submarine

The Type 094 (NATO reporting name: Jin-class; ) is a class of ballistic missile submarine developed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The first-of-class was constructed at Huludao Shipyard in Huludao, Liaoning and launched in July 2004. Four submarines are believed to have been constructed.

Description
The Type 094 submarine is capable of carrying 12-16 of the more modern JL-2s with a range of approximately 8,000-12,000 km, and is capable of targeting some of the Western Hemisphere from close to the Chinese coast. The Type 094 is believed to replace the Type 092 submarine (NATO reporting name: Xia class) for the People's Liberation Army Navy.

In its 2008 assessment of China's military, the United States Department of Defense estimated that one Type 094 "may soon enter service", and that "up to five" would be in service by 2010. The United States government has expressed concern over these submarines, saying that the Chinese government has not been transparent enough about the program. Chinese SSBN have never conducted any patrol.

A new improved variant, carrying 16 missile tubes, was also spotted.

Satellite photos
In late 2006, a commercial satellite photographed what is believed to be the new Jin-class submarine moored in Xiaopingdao Submarine Base. In comparison with the older Type 092-class submarine, it has been elongated from 122m to 133m in order to house the missile tubes and part of the reactor.

A Google Earth picture from May 2007 has been discovered that appears to show two more Jin Class submarines docked at the Bohai shipyard at Huludao. It is not clear whether one of these is the vessel that was first spotted at Xiaopingdao in 2006 or whether these are two additional vessels, bringing the total to 3 vessels. The pictured subs appear to have 12 missile tubes.


 * 40.71533°N, 120.99532°W Jin class submarine at Huludao, China.

Books

 * Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, William S. Murray: China's Future Nuclear Submarine Force, Naval Institute Press, 2007, ISBN 1-59114-326-8