【Foreign Media Exposes Largest and Most Recent Chinese Nuclear Submarine Formation】
According to a report published on June 11, 2026, by the Military Watch Magazine website: Footage recently posted on Chinese social media platforms has revealed the largest and most up-to-date known formation of China's nuclear-powered submarines. The footage includes four 094A-class ballistic missile nuclear submarines and five 093B-class attack nuclear submarines. Shortly before this image was released, official sources confirmed that China now has three shipyards capable of producing nuclear submarines: in addition to the original base in Huludao, Liaoning, which has completed expansion, the Wuhan Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Group (Wuhan Ship) and Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard—the second and third facilities—have also become operational, effectively doubling actual production capacity.
Compared with earlier models such as the 091 and 092 classes, which were primarily aimed at establishing industrial foundations rather than combat readiness, both the 093 and 094 classes represent a decisive technological leap forward.
Latest assessments indicate that the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines surpassed that of the Russian Navy in size by 2025 or earlier, becoming the world’s second-largest nuclear submarine force after the United States Navy. This trend is mainly driven by large-scale production of the 093B-class attack nuclear submarines, with an estimated 16 units already under construction. Current estimates place the active nuclear submarine inventory of the Chinese Navy at 32 vessels, compared to approximately 25 to 28 for the Russian Navy. China’s current active nuclear submarines include nine older 093/093A-class attack nuclear submarines, 14 newer 093B-class attack nuclear submarines, and nine 094/094A-class ballistic missile nuclear submarines. The U.S. Navy believes China’s submarine fleet poses an increasingly significant challenge due to the unprecedented speed at which new-generation vessels and associated weapons are entering service.
The most significant advancements achieved during the development of the 093 and 094 classes lie in noise reduction. Earlier models like the 091 and 092 were widely regarded as extremely noisy due to mechanical vibrations, outdated propulsion systems, and limited sound insulation measures—severely limiting their survivability. The new submarines’ nuclear power plants have also undergone substantial modernization: reactor designs are more efficient, reliable, offer longer cruising range, and enable faster underwater sustained speeds. Improved engineering standards have reduced maintenance requirements and enhanced crew confidence during long-range deployments, transforming these submarines into practical frontline combat assets rather than experimental platforms.
Sensor technology has likewise undergone major transformation. Weapon systems have experienced revolutionary changes: the 093 class integrates advanced cruise missiles, and more recently, it has been equipped with the YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile; meanwhile, the 094 class has recently upgraded to the JL-3 intercontinental ballistic missile, assessed as one of the most advanced strategic missile designs globally.
Gradual modernization has further enhanced the performance of the 093 and 094 classes. Later variants of the 093A feature a more streamlined sail housing and optimized acoustic performance; the latest 093B reportedly incorporates pump-jet propulsion technology designed to reduce cavitation noise and improve stealth at high speeds. The 093B also employs extensive acoustic damping measures, improved mechanical mounting systems, a redesigned sail housing, and superior hydrodynamic shaping, enabling its survivability to rival modern Russian and American designs. This marks the first Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine to reach such a level of capability.
While the 093 series undergoes incremental modernization, later batches of the 094 class have similarly undergone hull optimizations and reduced the number of flow holes to minimize fluid noise—reflecting China’s “small steps, rapid progress” philosophy of continuous improvement. Operationally, these enhancements allow the PLA Navy to employ its nuclear submarines more aggressively than previous generations: the 094 fleet, as part of China’s nuclear posture, routinely conducts strategic patrols; while the 093 class has become a regular presence in blue-water deployments, escort missions, and exercises extending into the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Assessments suggest that production of these two submarine types has likely already ceased, with shipyards shifting focus toward building more advanced next-generation vessels—the 095 and 096 classes.
Disclaimer: The equipment data and images above are sourced from reports on the Military Watch Magazine website.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867680173984778/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.