New Google Earth imagery reveals six Chinese nuclear submarines at the hidden First Submarine Base near Qingdao.
Chinese nuclear submarine bases have been undercover for years. However, new Google imagery has revealed the information of a Chinese hidden submarine base.The base, known as First Submarine Base, is located 11.
1 miles east of Qingdao in the Yellow Sea, with easy access to the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan.In the Google imagery, at least six active nuclear submarines were seen resting on the base. Chinese nuclear submarinesAlex Luck, an independent naval analyst from Australia, posted on X that Google Earth has updated its satellite images of the First Submarine Base on China’s east coast. The images show at least six submarines at the pier and one in dry dock. In his post, Luck said five nuclear-powered submarines spotted on the base were conventionally armed. Google Earth image of China’s First Submarine Base. These included two Type 091 submarines, two Type 093A submarines, and one unidentified submarine. The only Chinese Type 092 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, which is no longer operational and was recently replaced by Type 094, was also visible in the images. Regarding the unidentified submarine in the dry dock, Luck suggested it may be undergoing scrapping since maintenance typically takes place at another site. China is expanding its submarine force to challenge America’s naval power in the Western Pacific. However, reports indicate that it lost its newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, known as Type 041, which sank at a shipyard in late May or early June last year.China’s maritime mightAccording to a US Department of Defense report, the People’s Liberation Army Navy has highly prioritized modernizing its submarine force.Still, its force structure continues to grow modestly as it matures its force, integrates new technologies, and expands its shipyards. The PLAN operates six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines , six nuclear-powered attack submarines , and 48 diesel-powered/air-independent powered attack submarines . Despite the ongoing retirement of older hulls, the PLAN’s submarine force is expected to grow to 65 units by 2025 and 80 units by 2035 due to an expansion of submarine construction capacity.Over the past 15 years, the PLAN has constructed 12 nuclear-powered submarines, including two SHANG I class SSNs , four SHANG II class SSNs , and six JIN class SSBNs . Equipped with the CSS-N-14 submarine-launched ballistic missile or the CSS-N-20 SLBM, the PLAN’s six operational JIN class SSBNs represent the PRC’s first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent. Each JIN class SSBN can carry up to 12 missiles. 2019 Beijing displayed these missiles at the PRC’s 70th founding anniversary parade. The PRC’s next-generation Type 096 SSBN will reportedly be armed with follow-on longer-range SLBM. The Type 096 will likely begin construction soon. Considering the projected 30-plus-year service life of the platforms, the PRC will operate its JIN and Type 096 SSBN fleets concurrently in the 2030s. This would align with China’s President Xi Jinping’s 2018 directive for the SSBN force to achieve “stronger growth.”The PRC launched four SHANG III class guided-missile nuclear-powered attack submarines between May 2022 and January 2023 and could have three hulls of this class operational by 2025.
Defense &Amp Military Force Nuclear Nuclear Arms Nuclear Submarine PLA Submarine
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