Although recent months have focused attention on China’s aircraft carrier fleet, with its recent deployments in the Western Pacific, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) continues to invest in and develop new submarines, both conventional and nuclear-powered, intended for attack missions and ballistic missile launches. One example of this is the development of a new variant of the Type 093 nuclear-powered attack submarines (referred to as the Shang class), which is undergoing navigation and systems testing in a highly secretive environment. One of the latest viral images reveals that this new variant, designated Type 093B, has completed a new sea trial during which these photographs were taken.
The Type 093 “Shang” class represents the second generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines of the People’s Republic of China, benefiting from the experiences and lessons learned from the Type 091 class (Han class), built by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao, Liaoning Province.
Currently, according to the latest reports from the United States Department of State, which assess the current and future military capabilities of the Asian Giant, the PLA Navy has a total of six Type 093 submarines, including the Shang I (Type 093), Shang II (Type 093A), and the more modern Shang III (Type 093B), about which few details have emerged regarding its capabilities.
The report also mentions that by the middle of this decade, the Bohai shipyards will be able to complete the construction of a seventh unit of the Type 093B, which will feature enhanced capabilities for land attack.
Today, October 12, an image went viral on social media showing the closest photograph to date of one of the Shang III submarines in full navigation. However, it cannot be determined if this is a recent navigation or if the image was taken weeks or months ago.
Although many details are not visible, a clean hull design can be observed, reflecting the refinement the class has achieved since the introduction of the first unit, Shang I, whose construction began in the late 1990s and was commissioned in 2006.
Nevertheless, many of its capabilities remain a mystery. According to specialists, these submarines are believed to be equipped with YJ-18 anti-ship missiles. However, the image does not show the bulge behind the sail that some previous concepts and models suggested. This could indicate the presence of a vertical launch system (VLS) that does not require that hump, or, conversely, the absence of such a system.
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