Understanding China's Submarine Capabilities

In the East sea fleet, China has 4 Kilo-class submarines and 3 Song class submarines. Diesel-electric submarines are the backbone for Chinese underwater capabilities. China has 4 ballistic missile submarines, 6 nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 50 diesel-electric submarines, and 17 Air independent propulsion enabled submarines. “The PRC has the largest navy in the world”[1]

China first acquired a submarine on 4^th June 1953from the soviet Union, (3-class (NATO: Whiskey) submarine. China purchased 12 Russian Built Kilo-class submarines, 8 of them having capabilities to launch ASCMs (advanced anti-ship cruise missiles), this purchase was made in the mid-1990s.China has increased its firing capabilities with these (ASCMs) from conventional submarines. During the last few decades, China has built 17 Yuan class diesel-electric air-independent-powered attack submarine (SSP) (Type 039A/B 13) and Song class SS units (Type 039). The PRC is trying to produce 25 more Yuan class submarines by 2025. China is also working on a third-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine, which is anticipated to have substantially reduced acoustic signature and an improved hull with many more improvements. China is continuing to invest in deterrents to reduce the efficacy of the US navy in the region. China has been developing arms in all domains for long-range precision strikes, which includes submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Over the past 15 years, the PLAN has constructed twelve nuclear submarines –two Shang I class SSNs (Type 093), and six Jin-class SSBNs (Type 094), Equipped with the CSS-N-14 (JL-2) China’s second-generation submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), four Shang II class SSNs (Type 093A),  the PLAN’s four operational Jin-class SSBNs represent the PRC’s first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent. Each Jin-class SSBN can carry up to 12 JL-2 SLBMs. China displayed these second-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missiles In 2019 the PRC’s 70th-anniversary parade revealed at least a full complement of 12 JL-2s are complete and operational. Each JL-2 can carry up to one-megaton warhead which includes nuclear warheads, the one-megaton warhead is 67 times more powerful than the Nuclear bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima. China’s next-generation Type 096 SSBN, will reportedly carry a new type of SLBM. The PLAN is expected to operate the Type 094 and Type 096 SSBNs concurrently and could have up to eight SSBNs by 2030.  This would align with Chairman Xi Jinping’s 2018 directive for the SSBN force to achieve “stronger growth”. The new Shang class (Second-Generation nuclear-powered attack submarine) variant will enhance the PLAN’s anti-surface warfare capability and could provide a clandestine land-attack option if equipped with land-attack cruise missiles (LACMs). The Shang (093B) with YJ-18 anti-ship ballistic missiles that have a range of 400 kilometres.  China has been developing both 094 and 094A submarines “The Type 094A, or Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was presented last Friday as part of the celebration to mark the 72nd anniversary of the PLA Navy.” [2]The 094Ais capable of firing the JL-3, or Julang (Big Wave) SLBM (Third Generation). These Missiles have a range of over 10,000km.

The PLAN operated 65 to 70 submarines in 2020, they are replacing the older units with capable ones on a one-on-one basis. “In the near term, the PLAN will have the capability to conduct long-range precision strikes against land targets from its submarine and surface combatants using land-attack cruise missiles, notably enhancing the PRC’s global power projection capabilities.” [3]

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles:

China has been working on developing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) with the capability to detect and attack enemy submarines and enemy vessels autonomously without any human interference.

According to the south china morning post “A research team in China has unveiled an underwater drone that can recognise, follow and attack an enemy submarine without human instruction.” This is a highly advanced capability, this specific submarine is designed for pre-programmed patrols, the details of this technology were declassified by a publication of a paper in the Journal of Harbin Engineering University describing the test of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) in Taiwan Strait. The report from the SCMP notes shows that the submarine is capable of detecting the replicated submarine’s noises while being on a predetermined patrol route under 30 feet of water, it targeted the sound by using Artificial intelligence to filter all the ambience noises and found the simulated enemy submarine, It fired one torpedo which was not loaded as it is only for testing and hit the simulated enemy submarine.

This is a very big achievement for China, Automating its maritime border patrols can give China a strategic advantage over its enemies. It is an individual piece of equipment but Unmanned Vehicles irrespective of land, air or underwater can be integrated with more similar vehicles to work as packs and cover more area and form a robust defence system. The UUV uses artificial intelligence to identify enemy vehicles and to detect the location and carry out the attack. The UUVs have many other uses which can provide strategic information. China can use these UUVs for a precise Bathymetric Image survey of the ocean floor using sonar. Which can be used by submarines when they are entering the waters.  These UUVs can use sensors to analyze thermal and acoustic conditions within the water. They will be able to station these in foreign waters and procure the required data so they can deploy their submarines from South China see into the Indian Ocean and Australian western and northern maritime approach. an underwater robot can collect oceanographic data such as seawater temperature, salinity turbidity, chlorophyll and oxygen levels without needing human input submarines will be able to better understand the undersea environment with the help of unmanned underwater vehicles. “An Indonesian fisher has found what experts say is likely to be a Chinese submarine drone in waters on a strategic maritime route from the South China Sea to Australia.”[4] The Chinese central government haven’t released any statement regarding the incident. The drone is most likely mapping the area for the submarine route and collecting the required data for the smooth transition of Chinese submarines in the area. Even though there have been similar incidents of finding drones in the nearby waters, this finding is significant as the drone was still active when it was caught in a fisherman’s net and its parts were moving and lights and sensors were active. This shows how China is preparing for a new front in the underwater battle. 

The secret project, funded by the military, was partially declassified in July 2021 with the publication of a paper that gave a rare glimpse into a field test of the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), seemingly in the Taiwan Strait, this UUV was reportedly designed by Harbin science and technology University in China, the SCMP described this university as Beijing's top submarine research institute. China is also entering the export market when it comes to submarines, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) sold indigenous designs to Pakistan and Thailand. China submarine capabilities are catching up to its rival United States, The best remedy to deal with the submarines is using the Boeing P-8 Poseidon Anti-submarine warfare aircraft, orders for these air crafts are pouring in from India, Australia and Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. “it's no coincidence that countries were buying up the anti-submarine warfare platform.” One senior Pentagon intelligence official said. "China is expanding their undersea warfare capability to extend beyond the South China Sea, which presents a strategic threat to not only nations with territorial disputes, but throughout the entire Pacific area,"[5] one official told Newsweek. The rest of the world is getting ready with the countermeasures for the expanding PLAN fleet. China needs more advancement in the arena to create substantial dominance and surpass the capacity of the United States in the region of interests.

Notes

[1] Annual Report to Congress: Office Of The Secretary Of Defense Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/01/2002488689/-1/-1/1/2020-DOD-CHINA-MILITARY-POWER-REPORT-FINAL.PDF

[2] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3131873/chinas-new-nuclear-submarine-missiles-expand-range-us-analysts

[3] https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/01/2002488689/-1/-1/1/2020-DOD-CHINA-MILITARY-POWER-REPORT-FINAL.PDF

[4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/31/indonesian-fisher-finds-drone-submarine-on-possible-covert-mission

[5] https://www.newsweek.com/chinas-submarine-fleet-catching-us-causing-partners-panic-1643709 

Pic Courtsey-South China Morning Post

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)