This is the Jin class submarine (type 094) that the US recognizes as 'the first credible nuclear deterrence of China'

New satellite images of Google Earth reveal a Chinese naval base with 6 nuclear submarines

In the 24 years since Google will launch Google Earththe geographical visualization and exploration service with high -resolution satellite images has given many surprises. The last one, discovered by Alex Luckan Australian naval analyst: a submarine base on the east coast of China With an unusual concentration of 6 nuclear submarines docked on it. The new satellite images exemplify the sustained growth of the fleet of nuclear submarines that the Xi Jinping government has carried out for more than a decade.

Submarines are in the call First submarine baselocated 18 kilometers east of Qingdaoin the Yellow Sea, with easy access to the Sea of ​​Eastern China and the Sea of ​​Japan. In the images you can identify at least six: 2 type 091, 2 type 093A (more modern and attack), an unidentified one and a type 092 with ballistic missiles (SSBN, acronym in English of nuclear ballistic submarine)already removed from active duty but still docked.

With respect to the unidentified submarine in the dry dock, Luck suggested that it could be In the process of scrappingsince maintenance is usually carried out elsewhere. In its publication, which includes Interesting Engineering, the analyst said that five nuclear propulsion submarines sighted at the base were armed in a conventional way.

China’s maritime power in SSN and SSBN submarines

Since the early 2010s, the Navy of the Popular Liberation Army (Plan) has transformed its fleet of submarines: it has built more than a dozen of nuclear submarines, including those of attack Type 093/093A and 6 ssbn type 094 (Jin class), capable of equipping up to 12 intercontinental ballistic missiles JL-2 or JL-3. A new SSBN is developing, the Type 096which would go into service in the next decade with missiles of greater reach and multiple eyelets.

Between 2022 and 2023 they began to build 4 Type 093b submarinesdesigned to launch cruise missiles, of which 3 are expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

Comparatively, USA It has 14 SSBN Class Ohio (Up to 20 trident II D5 missiles each, with multiple eyelets), which gives it more than 1,900 nuclear heads display in the sea. Russia It operates some 10 U 11 SSBN (Delta IV and Borei-A), with more than 700 eyelets. Chinafor its part, it has 6 ssbn type 094with an estimated total of 72 Ojivasand its operational scope is limited, in general, to the South China Sea.

In attack submarines (SSN, acronym in English of nuclear attack underwater), USA. It operates some 50 units (Virginia, Seawolf, Los Angeles), with versatile capacity and great stealth. Russia Keep some 25including the new yasen-m. Chinaalthough it has launched until 8 type 093b Since 2021 with cruise missile capacity, it is still lagging behind in this regard.