China's G4 Nuclear Submarine Development
Development of China's fourth-generation nuclear submarines has been completed in the Northeastern Provinces of China: high performance vessels with low noise, reports People's Daily online.
Informed by millitary expert Du Wenlong, 'People's Daily' reported that the main characteristic of the fourth generation nuclear submarine would be its high performance. Compared with earlier submarines, modern attack submarines differ significantly in offensive power, possessing both anti-submarine capabilities and also strong potential for anti-ship action and attacks on land-based targets.
The fourth generation nuclear submarines of the United States and Russia already have these capabilities; China's fourth-generation nuclear submarines too will be equipped with the appropriate torpedoes, along with missiles suitable for use against other sea-going or land-based targets.
On the question when these nuclear submarine will enter service, People's Daily notes, again citing Du Wenlong, that completion of development and completion of construction are two different phases - the cycle from completion of development to manufacturing, and then to fitting out and launch, can be very long, perhaps several years.
Source: People's Daily