The Chinese navy has not one but two new submarine types. And the latest of the two to break cover may be the most dangerous. The new Type 093B, the first close photos of which circulated online in early October, might be a cruise missile submarine.
This summer, naval expert Thomas Shugart was the first civilian observer to notice the appearance of a new sub type in satellite imagery depicting a pier in Wuhan, China. That imagery, dated late April, depicts what appears to be the first example of a Type 039 diesel-electric attack submarine fitted with a small auxiliary nuclear powerplant – an innovation that could extend the type’s underwater endurance.
Later photos seem to indicate the hybrid Type 039 sank at its pier back in July. If confirmed, the sinking would be a setback for the Chinese navy and would, at the very least, delay the commissioning of the first of the hybrid subs – potentially by years.
Given the circumstances, the other new Chinese sub type to appear this year is very likely to precede the hybrid type in front-line service. The recent photos of this new type, apparently shot near Bohai, depict a new version of the Type 093, the Chinese navy’s only nuclear-powered attack submarine. Six Type 093s are in service.
The new Type 093B is slightly bulkier than the older Type 093, which measures around 350 feet in length and displaces around 6,700 tons of water. The basic Type 093 is roughly analogous to the US Navy’s older Virginia-class nuclear attack subs.
The Type 093B is more akin to the newest Block V Virginias, which are 460 feet long – 83 feet longer than previous blocks – and displace 10,200 tons. All that extra bulk comes from the Block V’s so-called “Virginia Payload Module,” which includes vertical launchers for 28 Tomahawk cruise missiles, boosting the armament of a new Virginia to 40 total missiles.
The Chinese navy has not one but two new submarine types. And the latest of the two to break cover may be the most dangerous. The new Type 093B, the first close photos of which circulated online in early October, might be a cruise missile submarine.
This summer, naval expert Thomas Shugart was the first civilian observer to notice the appearance of a new sub type in satellite imagery depicting a pier in Wuhan, China. That imagery, dated late April, depicts what appears to be the first example of a Type 039 diesel-electric attack submarine fitted with a small auxiliary nuclear powerplant – an innovation that could extend the type’s underwater endurance.
Later photos seem to indicate the hybrid Type 039 sank at its pier back in July. If confirmed, the sinking would be a setback for the Chinese navy and would, at the very least, delay the commissioning of the first of the hybrid subs – potentially by years.
Given the circumstances, the other new Chinese sub type to appear this year is very likely to precede the hybrid type in front-line service. The recent photos of this new type, apparently shot near Bohai, depict a new version of the Type 093, the Chinese navy’s only nuclear-powered attack submarine. Six Type 093s are in service.
The new Type 093B is slightly bulkier than the older Type 093, which measures around 350 feet in length and displaces around 6,700 tons of water. The basic Type 093 is roughly analogous to the US Navy’s older Virginia-class nuclear attack subs.
The Type 093B is more akin to the newest Block V Virginias, which are 460 feet long – 83 feet longer than previous blocks – and displace 10,200 tons. All that extra bulk comes from the Block V’s so-called “Virginia Payload Module,” which includes vertical launchers for 28 Tomahawk cruise missiles, boosting the armament of a new Virginia to 40 total missiles.