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With a dangerous new type of submarine, China now has the ability to launch cruise missiles vertically from the sea, joining an exclusive club that only included the US and Russia. See the impact of this new weapon!
In recent months, China has unveiled two new types of submarines, and the latest one appears to be the most advanced and dangerous. With this, the country is approaching the underwater military capabilities of the United States and Russia, standing out on the global stage.
The Type 093B submarine, whose first photos were released online in early October, promises a major advance in military technology. Chinese, especially in the launch of cruise missiles.
The evolution of Chinese submarines
Over the summer, naval expert Thomas Shugart was the first to spot a new subtype of Chinese submarine in satellite imagery taken off the Wuhan pier.
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This model, a Type 039 equipped with a small auxiliary nuclear power plant, was seen as an innovation that could extend the vessel's underwater endurance, increasing its autonomy without the need to surface as frequently.
However, subsequent news has not been as promising for the Chinese navy. The Type 039 hybrid submarine apparently sank at its pier in July, indicating problems that could delay its entry into service for years.
Faced with this setback, the new Type 093B assumes greater prominence, and may enter into operation before the hybrid submarine.
The Mighty Type 093B: A Potential Threat
The latest images of the new model were captured in Bohai, showing a new version of the Type 093 submarine. The submarine, which is already a centerpiece of the Chinese navy with six units in service, has seen significant improvements.
The 093B version is larger than its predecessor, at 350 feet long and with a water displacement capacity of about 6.700 tons.
The new Type 093B resembles the U.S. Virginia Block V submarine, which is 460 feet long and displaces 10.200 tons. The increase in size is due to the addition of a module called the Virginia Payload Module, which includes vertical launchers for 28 Tomahawk cruise missiles, making the submarine a true underwater arsenal.
The Challenge for the United States
Tomahawks have a range of up to 10 miles and are highly effective weapons for land attacks. The submarines' ability to launch cruise missiles stealthily and quickly represents a significant strategic advantage. China, for its part, has developed the CJ-XNUMX missile, which is similar to the Tomahawk in range and payload, although there is uncertainty about its accuracy.
To counterbalance this development, the US Navy is building Block V Virginia submarines, a measure to mitigate the loss of capability that will be caused by the imminent retirement of four Ohio-class cruise missile submarines.
These veteran submarines carry no fewer than 154 Tomahawks each, and their decommissioning would leave a significant gap in American naval defense. Thus, the Block V Virginias, with their new missile capability, represent the American response to maintaining superiority.
the chinese challenge
The Chinese navy, despite its progress, still faces challenges in achieving parity with the U.S. submarine force. The U.S. Navy currently has about four dozen attack submarines equipped with more than 600 vertically-arrested missile cells, while China has a smaller fleet. Even with the construction of new Type 093B submarines, China’s missile capabilities will not be comparable any time soon.
However, underestimating China’s industrial capabilities is a common mistake. The country has a strong naval industry and has demonstrated its ability to produce weapons quickly and efficiently. The Chinese navy is expected to field a dozen Type 093Bs in less than a decade, with each submarine capable of carrying up to 18 cruise missiles. This would put China in an exclusive club, including the United States, Russia and now China, all of which have the capability to launch cruise missiles vertically.
The naval competition continues
While China is not yet ready to compete with the U.S. submarine fleet on an equal footing, the development of the Type 093B signals a clear effort to achieve that goal. The quest for stealth and long-range strike capabilities is evident, and the Chinese navy is moving toward equipping its fleet with submarines that can challenge American supremacy at sea.
It remains to be seen how the naval competition between these powers will play out in the coming years. Parity may take time, but China’s determination to close the gap is undeniable. And in the current geopolitical landscape, any technological advances could have significant consequences for the global balance of power.
