A newly emerged satellite image has confirmed long-standing speculation that China’s Type 093B nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) is outfitted with a vertical launch system (VLS) for land-attack cruise missiles (LACM).
Tom Shugart, a former United States Navy submariner and an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, shared the new satellite images on X (formerly Twitter) on February 7.
The imagery, taken on February 4, provides a rare and detailed view of the Huludao nuclear submarine shipyard in Liaoning Province, China.
Shugart noted that this was the first time he had seen a Type 093B submarine with its missile tube hatches open.
The image clearly shows 12 tube hatches on the vessel, confirming previous reports and models attributed to China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) that indicated the submarine would feature a VLS capability.
Another satellite imagery of the shipyard captured a Type 093B submarine positioned in a transfer dock, a facility created to transport newly constructed submarines from the assembly hall.
Shugart said, “In another image, you can see another 093B SSN on the transfer dock normally used to move new boats out of the assembly hall. That makes four 093s at Huludao, potentially all new construction (though it’s possible some could be older boats back for maintenance).”
Australia-based naval analyst Alex Luck, commenting on the satellite images, noted that while 12 launchers are visible in the image, “the side-by-side comparison of both 093B in the first shot also demonstrates how these launchers are much harder to spot, once the outer hull covers them.”
He explained that based on a model associated with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), which aligns with the overall configuration of the new variant, the most plausible arrangement appears to be 18 launchers organized in three groups of three abreast.
Luck further stated, “I’ve since come to see additional imagery which strongly suggests the design is indeed fitted with a total of 18 launchers.”
He emphasized that the submarine’s overall length appears consistent with the 093A and the entire 093 series, leading to two possible conclusions.
First, the 093 family may have been designed from the start to accommodate vertical launch systems (VLS), with these features only being fully implemented in the latest variant while earlier models retained space and weight provisions.
Alternatively, the 093B could represent a complete redesign of its predecessors, which effectively makes it a separate class. Luck personally leans toward the second scenario but pointed out that China has been evaluating submarine-launched cruise missile VLS capabilities for years.
He referenced the Type 032 missile-testing submarine, which was fitted with a four-cell VLS for land-attack cruise missiles (LACM), likely around 2017, when modifications were also made for the JL-3 ballistic missile.
He also highlighted that the history of the 093 class is complex, as existing submarines exhibit “a remarkable variety in design differences, suggesting the entire class is a highly developmental approach.”
This could lend support to the idea that VLS integration was always part of the broader 093 program. Regardless, the Type 093B features various changes to both the outer hull and sail.
On the question of how many Type 093B submarines exist, Luck acknowledged ongoing debate with no clear consensus. At least three appear to have been built, and he personally believes four “may be in the water.”
Some sources suggest as many as eight have been launched. However, Luck remains skeptical. Summing up his assessment, he confirmed that the Type 093B is now established as an SSGN (nuclear-powered guided missile submarine).
He concluded, “Its similar length while featuring significant changes vs earlier 093 raises significant questions as to exact development history for 093, some of which may never get fully answered. Overall numbers to date remain uncertain.”
China’s Type 093B Nuclear-Powered Submarine
The Type 093B is a guided-missile nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSGN), classified as such by the US military. As a conventionally armed missile submarine, it is engineered to improve China’s anti-ship capabilities and could serve as a stealthy land-attack platform if equipped with land-attack cruise missiles (LACMs).
This capability is important for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to project power beyond its coastal waters and strike strategic land-based targets from a submerged position.
The Type 093B measures 351 feet in length, with a 36-foot beam and a 24-foot draft. When submerged, it displaces over 6,000 tons. With a pressurized water reactor, the submarine can remain at sea indefinitely, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
This gives China unrestricted operational range, which allows it to conduct extended patrols and maintain a persistent underwater presence in key maritime regions.
A crew of 100 personnel is needed to operate the submarine. The Type 093B is outfitted with Type 359 radar for surface and aerial detection, as well as a comprehensive sonar array, including hull-mounted sonar, flank array sonar, passive intercept sonar, and a towed array sonar.
These advanced systems increase the submarine’s ability to detect, track, and engage enemy vessels while maintaining a low acoustic signature to evade detection.
In terms of weaponry, the Type 093B is armed with six 533mm torpedo tubes, capable of launching a variety of munitions. These include the Yu-3, Yu-4, and Yu-6 torpedoes, as well as the YJ-82 anti-ship cruise missile, giving it the capability to engage both surface and underwater threats. If configured for land-attack missions, the submarine could also carry LACMs.
The exact number of Type 093B submarines launched remains uncertain, as China has not publicly disclosed production figures. However, observations of shipyard activity and satellite imagery suggest that between three and six new submarines have been launched in service since 2022.
The development of the Type 093B is part of a larger Chinese submarine modernization effort aimed at strengthening its naval capabilities. Over time, production is expected to transition to the next-generation Type 095 SSN, which is believed to incorporate even more advanced stealth and weaponry features.
While the total number of Type 093B submarines planned remains unknown, some estimates suggest as many as 16 hulls could be built.
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