09III/09IV (093/094) Nuclear Submarine Thread

[AndrewS]

Sometime ago, the PLAN has already announced that their subsurface fleet will move towards a dual conventional-nuclear fleet + emphasis/focus on nuclear-powered submarines.

This means that there will/should be more SSNs and SSBNs than SSKs in the PLAN subsurface fleet in the coming years.

In the meantime, whether the SSK-N (which would be much more superior than SSKs in the latter's present-day roles and missions) will be counted as part of the conventional fleet or the nuclear fleet is another question. Howevet, given the absolute lack of information and updates on the SSK-N's progress, the very existence of the SSK-N is still very much up in the air at this point.

I could see the number of SSK/SSKNs gradually decline from 60 today, down to 30, which would be enough to sustain a healthy industrial base with 1 boat per year. That should be enough for First Island Chain operations.

But at the same time, I expect the Chinese SSN fleet to expand to 90+ in the coming years.

 

[Maikeru]

10th August Sentinel imagery appears to show a new launch, but the resolution is shockingly poor even by Sentinel standards.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

10th August Sentinel imagery appears to show a new launch, but the resolution is shockingly poor even by Sentinel standards.

Yes, the quality is horrifyingly low, almost as if the imagery is pixelated on purpose.

In the meantime, which part of the shipyard did you see the alleged new launch?

 

[Maikeru]

Yes, the quality is horrifyingly low, almost as if the imagery is pixelated on purpose.

In the meantime, which part of the shipyard did you see the alleged new launch?

View attachment 158095

The usual place - smaller drydock. The blue launching barge is now in the dock and, it appears, submerged but still visible. Usually this signifies a launch.

 

[Tomboy]

Maybe the 9th 93B has been launched

 

[by78]

This might just be nothing, but an official Victory Day commemorative set appears to depict possible flank sonar arrays on a 094.

 

[amchan]

This might just be nothing, but an official Victory Day commemorative set appears to depict possible flank sonar arrays on a 094.

Is the second tank a stand-in?

 

[TK3600]

Also that helicopter dont look like a Z-10.

 

[TopolMSS27]

Wait, are you suggesting that a 094 was made by the new facility? First one made by it?
And why do you mention 093a? Do you mean 093b?

Sorry. I've had an operation and been recovering, hence the delay.

The 094 is the one that was at the western side and was moved across for a period of time for some dry dock work.

By 093A, I mean a 093A - Shang II. It is either Changzheng 15 or 16 from the conformal hump behind the sail.

You can also see that it has "wear and tear" from being operational - waterlines etc.

I'd share the imagery if I could but I'm signed into not doing so.

 

[TopolMSS27]

Which Dock? The old Western dry dock near the fitting out piers, or the new Eastern drydock near the new assembly halls with the blue launch barge?

New eastern at the new assembly halls