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China’s new nuclear submarine missiles expand range in US: analysts

  • JL-3 ballistic missile can deliver multiple warheads – including nuclear – 10,000km, navy source says
  • Naval engineer Ma Weiming charged with improving the propulsion of Chinese submarines

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China’s President Xi Jinping stands aboard the Type 094A nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Source: CCTV
Minnie Chan

China’s newly commissioned nuclear-powered submarine is armed with the country’s most powerful submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) capable of hitting the US mainland, according to a military source and analysts.

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The Type 094A, or Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was presented last Friday as part of the celebration to mark the 72nd anniversary of the PLA Navy. It was capable of firing the JL-3, or Julang (Big Wave) SLBM with a range over 10,000km (6,200 miles), a source close to the navy said.

“The Type 094A is an upgraded version of the Type 094 that overcame one of the key problems – noise – by improving hydrokinetic and turbulent systems, allowing it to carry the more powerful JL-3,” said the source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

“Before the upgrade, the submarine was armed with the inferior JL-2 that could only hit the northeast United States, but now it’s able to cover the whole American continent.”

The JL-3 SLBM has a range of more than 10,000km. Photo: Handout
The JL-3 SLBM has a range of more than 10,000km. Photo: Handout
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According to Forbes, before entering striking distance of the continental United States, the Type 094A subs would have to slip past a cordon of US military bases in the Pacific dubbed the first island chain – exposing the subs to detection and attack by American P-8 anti-sub patrol planes, surface warships and other undersea reconnaissance capabilities.

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