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

[Blitzo]

Discussion on the new sailless SSN will be in this different thread for now given it seems very different to both 09III family and 09V family at this stage.

New sailless SSN (provisional)

It appears that a submarine has been seen at the drydock at Huludao's east site, with a length of ~111 meters. No idea on whether this boat is newly built or just came in for maintenance, and no idea if this boat belongs to the 093 family or the 095 family. Posted by @foolsball on Twitter.

www.sinodefenceforum.com

 

[00CuriousObserver]

Ayi thinks the number of 093Bs launched (up to 2026 Q1) is "around 11" instead of "at least 9". But I think this is more of a vague speculation based on his general opinion rather than anything concrete. Though still worthy of being noted here imo.

Nuclear submarines are highly classified. If he actually knew the number, he might not have said anything.

 

[Maikeru]

Spotted this object at the eastern drydock of Huludao on Copernicus, dated 28 March 2026.

The measured length of this object is ~125 meters, which certainly doesn't match the lengths of any known Chinese submarines today (the 093/A/B and 095 SSNs are ~110 meters long, whereas the 094/A/B SSBNs are ~135 meters long).

Does anyone know what this is?

And again, it now makes sense.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

And again, it now makes sense.

But then, are we sure what this sub is?

If the dimension is indeed similar to what I measured it to be, back in early April (i.e., 120-125 meters), then could this actually be the first 09X SSN (instead of the one seen at Jiangnan a few days ago)?

And if this is the case, then the sub we saw at this same drydock at Huludao just a few days ago could actually be the 2nd 095 SSN?

@para80 what do you think?

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

4x 093/A/B SSNs and 5x 094/A SSBNs seen at mooring in Yulin, Hainan. Posted by @Hurin92 on Twitter.

(Photos unable to be directly attached/posted for some reason)

 

[sunnymaxi]

4x 093/A/B SSNs and 5x 094/A SSBNs seen at mooring in Yulin, Hainan. Posted by @Hurin92 on Twitter.

(Photos unable to be directly attached/posted for some reason)

 

[para80]

But then, are we sure what this sub is?

If the dimension is indeed similar to what I measured it to be, back in early April (i.e., 120-125 meters), then could this actually be the first 09X SSN (instead of the one seen at Jiangnan a few days ago)?

And if this is the case, then the sub we saw at this same drydock at Huludao just a few days ago could actually be the 2nd 095 SSN?

@para80 what do you think?

I havent yet been able to get my hands on decent imagery of the new boat at Bohai, unlike the one at JN. So I can only go by what (usually very reliable) contacts tell me. Which is that the new boat is similar to the one at JN. Consider it hearsay of course.

4x 093/A/B SSNs and 5x 094/A SSBNs seen at mooring in Yulin, Hainan.

I may miss something, but I am seeing 4x 09III SSN, and 4x ballistic missile boats.

 

[tphuang]

4x 093/A/B SSNs and 5x 094/A SSBNs seen at mooring in Yulin, Hainan. Posted by @Hurin92 on Twitter.

(Photos unable to be directly attached/posted for some reason)

unless I'm completely off here, there looks to be at least 3 093Bs in there based on the sails.

Have we ever seen a photo of this quality with this many nuclear subs together with PLAN. I don't recall any such photo. They must really feel confident about the new generation boats.

 

[Maikeru]

The full image over on CDF shows 5 x 093B, 1 x 093A and 3 x 094/A

 

[kent]

The full image over on CDF shows 5 x 093B, 1 x 093A and 3 x 094/A

5 x 093B 4 x 094/A