But they can't reach the continental US with JL-2...
09III/09IV (093/094) Nuclear Submarine Thread
- Thread starter SinoSoldier
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It is purported that the 094/094A SSBNs can launch the newer JL-3 SLBMs as well, which should have enough range to cover the entire continental US except Florida (LMAO) if launched from the East China Sea or the Yellow Sea.
So far, there is very little info about the present status of JL-3, but considering that JL-3 already have at least 4-5 times of test launch over the past decade, I believe that JL-3 is now getting close to active service, if not already in limited initial deployment stage with the PLAN.
The sea-based part of the nuclear triad is not a critical part of China's posture at present. Given China's restricted and risky access to the Pacific, SSBNs are not a very good solution. They don't have room for manoeuvre and China's coastline is ringed by enemy ASW. This will change only when China retakes Taiwan and the PLAN can launch submarines from Taiwan's eastern coast.
That's some US admiral's incorrect presumption. The newer 09-IVs can launch JL-2A missiles, which are JL-2s improved with better propellants, lighter body, and a 3 MIRV configuration.
Agreed. And even then, it will be too easy to follow them... Mobile launchers, on the other hand, are the way to go IMHO.
Don't know. Maybe they can maybe not.
The South China Sea is actually enough if you have submarines with noise profiles similar to the sea/ocean background noise. Modern subs are very quiet thus passive sonars have detection ranges around a few kilometers. This is the reason why active sonar replaced passive sonar as the primary submarine detector in the last 25 years.
The SCS in particular is a nightmare for passive sonar. It has a very complex seabed, erratic weather and a lot of traffic. If China can keep enemy ASW aircraft and ships out, the SCS would be a quite safe to operate for Chinese SSBNs.
Just taking Taiwan wouldn't be adequate. China's problem is Japan. Because of Japan, the USA can easily deploy a lot of assets to the West Pacific. Taking Taiwan doesn't solve that problem. NATO policed GIUK gap, a gap bigger than what will be available to China even after it takes Taiwan, easily in the Cold War. For this reason, I think it is more important for China to be able to suppress US operations and field quiet SSBNs.
But Chinese missiles can't hit the CONUS ( at least until China gets 14-15 000 km range) from SCS.
Also, that's big IF.
Folks already discussed this here. Supposedly the JL-2A is already in service. The JL-2A is a similar upgrade to the JL-2 like the DF-31A is to the DF-31. While DF-31 had a range of 8000 km, DF-31A has a range of 11000 km. Which should be enough to hit entire CONUS.
It's unclear if JL-2A is currently in service. However, it should join service soon enough if that hasn't happened yet.
Bohai is 11000 km from Northeast and 8400 to 10000 km from west coast.
Yellow/ECS are somewhere in between.
the edge of SCS is 10000 to 12000 km from west coast.
As far as China is concerned, 12000 km is probably global range. I think JL-2A is probably designed around that.
Bohai is 11000 km from Northeast and 8400 to 10000 km from west coast.
Yellow/ECS are somewhere in between.
the edge of SCS is 10000 to 12000 km from west coast.
As far as China is concerned, 12000 km is probably global range. I think JL-2A is probably designed around that.