Type 094 Jin class SSBN (2004)

Chinese PLAN (2001-2021): Changzheng 11-21

The Type 094 (or 09-IV, NATO reporting name Jin class) are the current generation of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, developed by China for the PLA Submarine Force. The Type 094 succeeds the Type 092 (NATO Xia) and precedes the Type 096 (No NATO designation yet) under development. They are substantially larger and carries twelve of the new JL-2 missile and the latest MIRVed JL-3 capable of 10,000 km (6,200 mi). The last of the class, Changzheng 21 (real name unknown) was commissioned officially in April 2021. Information about this class is scarce so i concentrated here everything available on the web to that point.
More posts on the modern Chinese PLAN will come in 2025.

Development

The Type 092 (NATO Xia class) unique SSBN gave China in the late 1980s and 1990s a way to evaluate its first nuclear powered ballistic launching submarine, in an already mature and modern package comparable to other contemporary designs. This precious experience led to an amount of reports to address issues for a next design, the Type 094. A long time went on indeed since the completion of the Jin class in 1983: No less than thirty-four years !. This left plenty of time to study foreign designs and work on multiple technical aspects that would be precious for the development of a new, larger class under the leadership of Zhang Jinlin. The new Type 092 displaced indeed 11,000 tons submerged, versus 8,000 tonnes for the Type 092 Xia. It seems only six on the 8 projected are now in service, with the last two belonging to the sub-class Type 094A. A recent evaluation placed them at $750 million per unit, all built at Bohai Shipyard, Huludao.

Zhang Jinlin (16 October 1936 – 9 January 2023) was a Chinese engineer and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Born in Luan County (now Luanzhou), in Hebei on 16 October 1936 he entered in 1955 the Harbin Institute of Technology and majored in turbines. After graduating from the university in 1960 her joined the No. 9 Research Office of the Naval Scientific Research Department and the party in March 1974, while being transferred since 1971 to the 719 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corp. and became deputy director in 1983, director in 1992. In 1996 he was the chief designer of a new nuclear submarine project, third chief designer after Peng Shilu (his mentor) and Huang Xuhua, main contribution behind the development and construction of the Type 094 SSBN. He passed away recently in Wuhan, Hubei, aged 86.

he previous Xia was designed by Peng Shilu and Huang Xuhua, derived from the Type 091 SSNs (same move as the US in the 1960s with the Washingtons derived from the Skipjacks). The same hull was just extended to accommodate a new section with twelve missile tubes. The first generation of JL-1A SLBMs were already tested an on modified Golf class. This first gen had a single warhead for 250-500 kt setups, but a range of only 1,770 km for the JL-1 and 2,500 km for the JL-1A.

So the immediate goal for the next class was to be large enough to accommodate deeper, wider tubes for next generation SLBMs. The other improvements concerned detection, with more advanced sonars such as the H/SQ2-262B from No. 613 Factory which upgraded the Xia, and acoustic signature reduction by working on better sound proofing. Still at this stage, the use of a shrouded propeller was, if not envisioned, not seen worthwile. Still 34 years was a considerable gap which enabled to amass not only considerable service experience, but also to gather enough intel data on what could be obtained notably via OSINT.

The development of the Type 09IV really started in the late 1980s and early 1990s with Zhang Jinlin as chief designer, construction starting in 1999 with tyhe first boat being completed in July 2004. By the fall of 2009, two were commissioned, having completed tests and qualification, notably extreme diving and all regimes of underwater high speed, as well as deep-sea torpedo launches. In the 2008 China Military Power Report, the U.S. Department of Defense estimated that the Type 09IV nuclear submarine had entered service with at least one on permanent patrol.

The fleet of SSBNs thus today comprises the Xia class was a prototype, still not discarded, and the current deterrence resting on no less that six Jin class (11,000t), which are smaller, to European equivalents (Vanguard 15,900 tonnes; Triomphant 14,300 tonnes), not even speaking of the current Columbia class (20,810 long tons). Unlike these two powers which deterrence is resting on four boats to have for policy of having two operational at sea at all times, having six submarines gives Xi’s deterrence more leverage, the main issue still being the tight belt of US or allied bases circling around the South China sea (see later).

Design of the class

Hull and general design

Comparison between the Xia and Jin (bottom).

The conclusion of early researches on the new SLBM, the JL-2, on which the new Type 094 was literally wrapped around its tubes, led to a design that would be wider than any previous design, with a beam calculated of 11.8 m (38 ft 9 in) instead of 10 m (32 ft 10 in), a considerable enlargment of almost 7 feet or 2,10 meters. This enabled to accomodate the JL-2 which diameter was 2 meters and height of 13 meters. Like the previous design, the tubes were shouldered with a classic “hump”, despite the fact most designed in the 1990s went for more streamlined hulls.
The shoulder however is as well profiled as possible with a long slope either side of the sail, but still potentially creating turbulences. The new design had moderately narrow sail, seemingly identical to the Xia in general shape, albeit shorter. Proportions make it look even smaller given the longer, bulkier hull according to comparisons. It was given as on the previous design a pair of forward diving planes.

The configuration of periscopes and radar is currently unknown, albeit there are at least two main periscopes close together and a radar mast, and communication mast in a relatively tight space forward of the sail. The hull is thus 137 meters long for 11.8 meters wide and a likely draft of 9 meters or 30 foot.
The displacement estimated to 11,000 tons submerged is coherent with the Xia class figures of 8,000 tonnes (submerged), given the added volume, 3,000 tonnes more.
The size of the silos hatch doors is also superior, and they are all cylindrical in shape for better pressure resistance, but larger than for the Xia class.
They looked like the Lafayette’s own openings, with a shutter above the cylindrical cap, hinged outwards. More questionable sources cites a displacement of 8000 surfaced /9000t submerged and 138.9 mters long (436 ft) instead of 137 m overall and 12.5 meters in beam, 9.14 m in draught.

By the way, the hump is quite edgy. At its base are three series of open water scoops, not the best way to deal with water ingress noise. This design in many recalls more the Delta IV than western ones.
Like the previous design there is a main escape hatch forward, at the foot of the sail (with receives a stepped base by the way) and another at the end of the engine compartment aft, close to the tail. The sail appears to incorporate features from Type 093 AA SSN as well.

There is also a larger salvage/connection hatch, looking compatible with a DSRV also aft. The classic “+” tail design is kept as well. It is however not symmetrical, with the upper tail much taller and a shorter lower tail vertical surface, down to the level of the keel. The two aft tail planes are relatively stubby and the forward sail diving planes have a span of c11 meters (36 ft). An interesting tidbit is that the hull is cylindrical in section but the nose is “plunging” (whale type) downwards, with an axis located quite low below the torpedo tubes, where the main hull sonar is located. The crew ranges between 120 and 140 personel.

Powerplant

For the moment, we only known the Type 094 has the same powerplant configuration as for the Type 092 with a pressurized-water nuclear reactor coupled with two steam turbines on a single 1 shaft with a 7-bladed propeller. The latter is believed to be a much more powerful succession to the 1980s model capable of 580 MW, given its alleged output. The Type 094 has an output of 15 000 hp (11,025 kW) in some sources but is probably much larger. There is not much to say apart the top speed, with the figure of 25 knots (28.8 mph) floating around in many sources, 20 kts (23 mph) when surfaced. Range of course is unlimited.

Armament

The new Jin class houses the same twelve ballistic silos and an array of six torpedo tubes in the nose in a first row of four and two more ebelow on the outer row, as the center one space is eaten by the top of the sonar dome sphere. One can argue that six tubes for an SSBN is a bit overkill as it’s mostly defensive. However it is likely possible to dispense large underwater countermeasures.
There are two protruding tail like structures under the hull aftn close to the tail, likely to also project countermeasures in the wake of the submarine, as they don’t likely belongs to a flexible tail sonar.

JL-2

The JL-2 (‘Giant Wave 2’, NATO CSS-N-14) is a Chinese 2nd-generation intercontinental submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) designed for the Type 094 submarines. It was described as China’s first viable sea-based nuclear deterrent asset. It is essentially a naval variant of the land-based DF-31 with a 2-metre diameter solid fuel rocket motor, tested and prove, already since late 1983. R&D started back in 1985, to produce both missiles. The first JL-2 at-sea launch was in 2001 on a modfied Type 031 submarine but delayed after a failed test in 2004. More launched ser successful in 2005 and 2008 and by a Type 094 in 2009, then all configurattions of launches in 2012. During development it was reported considering modifying its head to accomodate an anti-satellite warhead. First deterrence patrols started in December 2015 with 48 JL-2 launchers operational as of 2017.
This three-stage, solid-fueled missile has a maximum range of 7,200 km (4,500 mi and varied payloads between a single one Megaton warhead or three and up to eight MIRVs with yields ranging from 20, 90, or 150kt depending on the initial setting.

JL-3

The JL-3 (‘Giant Wave 3’, NATO CSS-NX-20) is the Chinese 3rd-gen SLBM designed for an upgrade of the Type 094 submarine and for the next Type 096.
First test was reported on 24 November 2018 in the Bohai Sea for a cold-launch ejection system and that a Type 032 made three test launches and the first Type 094 a fourth in December 2019. In 2020 it was reported a decoupling between the JL-3 and its future carrier, the Type 096, to speed up missile development, and by November 2022, a USNI report precised that all Type 094 were rearmed with the JL-3. In addition to a range estimated between 9,000 km (5,600 mi) and 10,000 km (6,200 mi), CSNI reports three MIRVs as standard.

Torpedoes

In this chapter little is known outside theit torpedo tubes numbers and location. We can trust the contemporary Type 039 submarines (Yuan class), Type 039A/B/C (2006-2020s) and Type 093/93A for an idea. The latter for example the Yu-3, Yu-4, Yu-6 torpedoes as well as YJ-18 and YJ-82 anti-ship cruise missile, which are less likely to be onboard due to the merely defensive nature of the armament.
2005 Yu-6 Torpedo:
Powered by Otto fuel II, range 45 km (28 mi) top speed 65 kt (max)
Guidance: Passive/active acoustic homing + wake homing + wire guidance
Warhead: High explosive, Proximity or contact detonation
A copy of a US Mark 48 recovered by Chinese fishermen in the 1980s. Project started in 1995 at the 705th Institute. Engine by Harbin’s Electro Carbon Research Institute. Furtehr developed into the Yu-9 (2012).
It was revealed later that her main armament comprised 12 torpedoes of the Yu-3 (SET-65E) type with a warhead of 205 kg, maximum range of 15 kilometers, speed of 40 knots with optional wake-guided and wire-guided ASW torpedoes likely of the type above.

Sensors

The Type 094 features a main hull sonar in the nose, three H/SQC-207 hull side arrays on either side, and a retractable towed array sonar (TAS) mounted on the top of its upper tailfin. The Type 09IV nuclear submarine is equipped with an advanced (classified) bow sonar and H/SQC-207 side sonar.

CC profile By mike1979Russia, enhanced by NE

Career of the Type 094 (Jin class)

A Type 094 was photographed by commercial satellites in late 2006 at the Xiaopingdao Submarine Base and deterrence patrols started from December 2015.
On February 5, 2016, The Economist reported:

“The International Fleet Review of India, held from February 4 to 8, will attract ships from more than 50 countries. This time it is held on the east coast of India, a signal to China, another rising naval power to the east. India hopes to demonstrate its dominance in the Indian Ocean. Nevertheless, for the sake of good neighborliness, China has agreed to participate in the review. China is already in the lead in this competition. At present, China has four second-generation Jin-class nuclear submarines and is testing the installation of Julang-2 submarine-launched missiles on nuclear submarines. The range of these missiles is 7,400 kilometers.”

In early July 2016, medias reportd a suspected 094A/094G appeared at the new subbmarine base in Hainan. This appearance is very significantly compared with the previous single Xia (Type 094) present there, closing a geostrategic gap. Before the Hague International Arbitration Tribunal announced results in the South China Sea Island Dispute Arbitration Case, medias reported the suspected 094A SSBN wa smaking her first deterrent patrol.
On April 12, 2018, among all the 48 warships participating in the South China Sea Fleet Review, two 094A SSBNswere presented officially, first time they appeared publicly in medias.
On June 8, 2020, according to the website “National Interest” underlined that by commissioning its last two SSBNs made China’s underwater nuclear deterrence fleet close to half the size of the United States’s SSBN fleet. On April 23, 2021 at Sanya port, Hainan Province, a new Type 094A as commissioned into the South China Sea Fleet for the Southern Navy under the name “Long March 18”, hull number 421.
May 2023 saw the Pentagon revealing all six Type 094 were in 24-hour non-stop combat readiness patrols. In May 2023 social media revealed revealed that “Long March-18” surfaced 800 kilometers west of Guam and on the 11th, CCTV reported that Xi Jinping sent a congratulation and encouragement of the crew of “Long March 9”, with the TV showing internal cabin footage.
On June 18, 2024, Penghu fishermen in the Taiwan Strait when suddenly spotted a probable Type 094 surfaced, escorted by the destroyer Zhengzhou to her base. Some in the Taiwanese press speculated about a machinery issue. Former PLAN Commander Chen Yongkang precised she was undergoing her yearly maintenance, to later return to Huludao. More to come.

General Assessment

The Type 094 was classified by NATO and the US DoD as China’s “first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent”. Their initial JL-2 SLBMs (single warhead, 7,200 km (4,500 mi) range able to reach Alaska from Chinese waters but by late 2022, they had been allegedly rearmed with the 3 MIRVed JL-3 SLBMs able to strike the continental United States from the South China Sea, quite a qualitative jump. Apart the number of MIRVs it seems China reached its standard SLBM.
The Type 094A was described as a variant with a modified and improved sail incorporating features installed on a modified Type 093.

The main issue is that Type 094 is allegely noisier than contemporary submarines and in 2004, a Chinese researcher meaked an acoustic signature of 120 decibels, comparable to the 1970 Los Angeles-class submarines, Flight I. In 2009, the US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) listed the Type 094 as noisier than the Delta III/IV. In 2015, Australian researchers Brendan Thomas-Noone and Rorey Medcalf noted its noise and the range of the JL-2 limited its effectiveness to contiguous United States, not India.

If the Type 094 boats may be far superior to their predecessors they still have to travel further away from the mainland to really threaten its mostly likely target, the US, at least until the JS-3 wa sintroduced. Some experts still consider it as paper tiger, and given the tight ring of likely acoustic stations and US or Japanese submarines in the vicinity of the South China Sea, it’s likely these had been already shadowed many times since 2015.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies precised that doctrinal limitations inhibited these to make deterrent patrols with nuclear warheads on board, given it’s peacetime and there are still doubts about safe, secure, and reliable command and control given the youth of this SSBN arm. At least on paper they still provide a “global” nuclear deterrence role from the introduction of the JS-3.

Changzheng 11 (“Long March 11”) was laid down in 2001, launched on 28 July 2004, commissioned in March 2007, Active, no logs or incident to report.

Changzheng 12, hull number 412 was laid down in 2003, launched in 2006 and commissioned in 2010.

Changzheng 13, hull number 413 was laid down on 2004, launched on December 2009 and completed on 2012.

Changzheng 14, hull number 414 was laid down on 2006, launched on 2011 and completed in 2015.

Changzheng 20 is the first Type 094A (pr in China Type 094G), hull number 420. Like the others she was built at Bohai Shipyard, Huludao, launched on 2017 and commissioned on April 2020.

Second and last 094A, Changzheng 21 (hull number 421) was commissioned allegedly on 23 April 2021.

Towards the Type 096: What we know

The Type 096 (NATO Tang class) is the projected next generation of Chinese SSBNs. Construction was secheduled to start in 2023-2024, to be armed with the JL-3 SLBM from the start. Recent analysis points out the lead boat should be completed in 2028 or 2029. It is purposedly a great improvement in terms of acoustic discretion, as well ad in sensors and weapons. Capabilities are only speculated to this point, but if significantly improved compared to the 094, it could be, with a class of four or more, able to shfit the deterrent balance in the Indo-Pacific. In November 2023, satellite imagery on Huludao shipyard revealed pressure hull sections being assembled, likely be the for the new Type 096 and analysis of these sections pleads for a much larger type compared to the Jin class, possibly following the path of the latest Russian Borei class SSBNs (15-24,000t) notably to mount a better raft mounted/rubber supported powerplant helping dampening the engine noise as well as procuring a better space for future SLBM upgrades. No data is available that early, neither the numbers of missile carried not other characteristics, but logically it should be able to operate the JL-4 SLBM in time.

Read More/Src

Books

Saunders, Stephen (2015). IHS Jane’s Fighting Ships 2015-2016. p. 128.
Till, G. (Ed.), Chan, J. (Ed.). (2014). Naval Modernisation in South-East Asia. Routledge.
Fisher, Richard D Jr. (19 April 2015). “US upgrades assessment of China’s Type 094 SSBN fleet”. IHS Jane’s 360.
United States Department of Defense (May 2019). Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2019.
O’Rourke, Ronald (21 May 2020). China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress (Report). Congressional Research Service. p. 8.
LaGrone, Sam; Majumdar, Dave (9 June 2014). “Chinese Weapons That Worry the Pentagon”. usni.org.
周劼 (Zhou, Jie) (9 January 2023). Zhang Jinlin passed away in Wuhan news.cjn.cn
Kristensen, Hans M. (4 October 2007). “Two More Chinese SSBNs Spotted”. fas.org.
Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (16 December 2015). “China advances sea- and land-based nuclear deterrent capabilities”. Jane’s Defence Weekly.
Funaiole, Matthew P.; Bermudez Jr., Joseph S.; Hart, Brian (4 August 2021). “A Glimpse of Chinese Ballistic Missile Submarines”. Center for Strategic International Studies.
“2020 Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China: Annual Report to Congress” (PDF).
United States National Air and Space Intelligence Center (June 2017). Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat (PDF)
Capaccio, Anthony (18 November 2022). “China Has Put Longer-Range ICBMs on Its Nuclear Subs, US Says”. Bloomberg.
Fisher, Richard D Jr. (15 July 2016). “Images show possible new variant of China’s Type 094 SSBN”. IHS Jane’s 360.
ONI August 2009. The People’s Liberation Army Navy, A Modern Navy with Chinese Characteristics (PDF)
Thomas-Noone, Brendan; Medcalf, Rory (September 2015). Nuclear-armed submarines in Indo-Pacific Asia: Stabiliser or menace? Lowy Institute for International Policy.
Tate, Andrew (27 April 2021). “China commissions three major naval vessels on PLAN’s 72nd anniversary”. Janes.
赵文涵, ed. (24 April 2021). “习近平出席海军三型主战舰艇集中交接入列活动”. Xinhua News Agency.
Jane’s Fighting Ships, 2023-24 Edition page 132.

Links

militaryfactory.com/ Type-094
odin.tradoc.army.mil/
hisutton.com/ Type 94 SSBN.html
digital-commons.usnwc.edu/
armyrecognition.com/
globalsecurity.org/
nationalinterest.org/ chinas-type-094
missilethreat.csis.org/ /jl-2/
csis.org glimpse SSBN
armscontrol.org/ china deploys new missile sub
scmp.com/ type-094 taiwan strait
twz.com/ chinese-nuclear-ballistic-missile
web.archive.org/ defense.gov/ 2013_china_report_final.pdf

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