A new class of Chinese attack submarine under construction in Wuhan may be intended to counter the deployment of the US-made Typhon missile system in the Philippines, according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), which cites a semi-official Chinese military publication.
While the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has not officially confirmed the submarine’s existence, SCMP reports that Naval & Merchant Ships, a magazine linked to the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation, has provided details on the vessel’s design and potential role in military strategy.
The publication suggests the submarine is part of Beijing’s broader efforts to counter expanding US military influence in the region.
According to the report, the new submarine is designed to strengthen China’s ability to deter foreign forces operating within the “first island chain,” a key strategic region stretching from Japan to the Philippines.
The report specifically references the deployment of US Typhon missile launchers on Luzon Island in the Philippines during a joint US-Philippines military exercise in April 2024. These launchers are capable of firing long-range missiles that could strike targets in China, Russia, and North Korea.
The Chinese publication indicates that the submarine will be equipped with advanced hypersonic missiles. This capability would allow it to carry out covert strikes beyond enemy defenses.
Additionally, it notes that the vessel could have the capability to deploy nuclear warheads if necessary, enhancing China’s ability to counter US military assets in the region.
China has repeatedly criticized US military activities near its borders, particularly the deployment of Typhon launchers in the Philippines. Beijing has called for removing the system while describing it as a “strategic asset and an offensive weapon.”
Meanwhile, Washington is expanding its deterrence strategy by considering additional Typhon deployments at various global locations to limit adversary naval operations in the western Pacific.
While the US claims it’s acting to protect the security of its allies, China argues that, in reality, the US is preserving its own dominance by pushing for the global deployment of mid-range missile systems.
China’s Mysterious New Submarine
The semi-official Chinese military publication did not reveal the name of the new submarine but noted that it was first identified in satellite imagery at a shipyard in Wuhan, Hubei, in mid-2024. This suggests that the submarine referenced in the report may belong to the Zhou-class (Type 041).
The Type 041 class became a focal point in military discussions last year after an alleged incident in late May or early June 2024, when the first Zhou-class submarine reportedly sank while docked along the Yangtze River during its fitting-out phase at Wuchang Shipbuilding.
According to previous assessments by US officials, the Type 041 submarine features a hybrid propulsion system that incorporates both conventional and nuclear power.
Reports suggest it is equipped with a small nuclear reactor alongside a traditional diesel-electric powerplant, a configuration that could extend its operational endurance and allow for more flexible deployment.
The new vessel integrates several advanced technologies that set it apart from previous PLA Navy designs. One of its key features is a vertical launch system (VLS), allowing it to fire both cruise and anti-ship ballistic missiles.
This represents a shift from traditional submarines, which rely on torpedo tubes for missile launches. The VLS increases the submarine’s firepower, enables faster missile deployment, and provides greater tactical versatility, reducing blind spots during engagements.
Another notable feature of the submarine is its X-shaped tail fin, a design choice intended to improve agility and operational safety, particularly in deep-water environments.
Furthermore, the vessel appears to be designed for roles typically associated with nuclear-powered submarines, including saturation attacks on enemy warships and long-range precision strikes against land-based targets.
According to the report, US-made Typhon ground-launched missile systems stationed in northern Luzon, the Philippines, are among its potential targets.
The publication also suggests that the submarine’s ability to operate independently or in small formations could create a strategic challenge for adversaries. By forcing enemy forces to disperse in response to an unpredictable undersea threat, the vessel could contribute to an “asymmetrical deterrence” strategy.
Additionally, the new submarine is reported to utilize an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, which improves its capabilities by reducing the need to surface for oxygen. This feature would allow the vessel to remain submerged for extended periods, making it harder to detect and track.
The South China Sea, where China has been expanding its military footprint, could serve as a crucial testing ground for the submarine’s capabilities.
With an average depth exceeding 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) and a complex underwater terrain featuring reefs, sandbars, deep trenches, and islands, the region presents both challenges and strategic advantages for stealth operations.
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