Type 094 submarine

The Type 094 (NATO reporting name: Jin-class; _zh. 晋级潜艇) is a new class of ballistic missile submarine developed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The first-of-class has reportedly been under construction at Huludao Shipyard in Huludao, Liaoning Province since 1999 and was launched in July 2004. At least two are believed to be in service. [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/default.asp]

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.

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

The United States Office of Naval Intelligence predicts five more Type 094's are to be built for the People's Liberation Army Navy. However, this number is only an estimate and was not repeated in the United States Department of Defense annual report on the Chinese military.cite web |url=http://www.fas.org/blog/ssp/2007/05/pentagon_publishes_annual_chin_1.php |title=Pentagon China Report Ignores Five SSBNs Projection |work=Fas.org |accessdate=2007-07-06] The United States government has expressed concern over these submarines, saying that the Chinese government has not been transparent enough about the program.cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6691691.stm |title=US fears grow over China military |work=BBC News |accessdate=2007-06-06]

Another recent discovery by users of Google Earth shows two more potential Jin Class submarine sightings in drydock. However one may be the previously identified Jin class sub discovered earlier. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/secret-subs-sighted/2007/10/12/1191696145980.html]

In October 2007, the first photograph of the new 094 class was published on the internet. The picture suggests the new submarine will carry 12 rather than 16 JL-2 SLBMs. [ [http://www.fas.org/blog/ssp/2007/10/two_more_chinese_ssbns_spotted.php Two More Chinese SSBNs Spotted » FAS Strategic Security Blog ] ]

Notes

Books

* Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, William S. Murray: "China's Future Nuclear Submarine Force", Naval Institute Press , 2007, ISBN 1591143268

External links

* [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/sub/type094jin.asp Sinodefence.com article on the Type 094]
* [http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2007/ea_china_07_05.asp 094-Jin class spotted on Google Earth]