Chinese Navy to Get 3 New Submarines

With the capability to fire supersonic anti-ship missiles, they will be China’s most advanced Type-093G attack submarines.

China Central Television has aired satellite images showing the three submarines anchored at an unidentified port.

The submarines are said to be an upgrade of the Type-093, which entered service several years ago and advancements include a longer teardrop hull and a vertical missile launching system.

The new variant is engineered to reduce noise, improve speed and mobility and fire the latest YJ-18 supersonic anti-ship missile, capable of causing significant damage to aircraft carriers.

Based on the satellite images, the Type 055 is 19.34 meters wide, though the ship's length-side, which has only built its main gun, is yet to be finished. 

Another article carried by the People's Liberation Army navy's website said the Type-093G's wing-shaped cross-section is designed to improve speed and mobility as well as reduce noise, and that the vertical launcher is capable of delivering the country's latest YJ-18 supersonic anti-ship missile.

On the other hand, the US Navy's Zumwalt-class destroyers (DDG-1000) are 182.9m long and 24.6m wide. The Type 055 appears to have adopted some of the DDG-1000's stealth concepts, such as using an integrated composite beam to increase the ship's inward tilt angle.

China is estimated to have four Type-094 submarines, six Type-093 nuclear-powered attack submarines and three old Type-091 nuclear-powered attack submarines

China established its nuclear-powered submarine force in the 1970s but it was never openly revealed to the outside world until 2009 when two nuclear submarines took part in a parade marking the 60th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army navy’s founding.