093 SSN 094 SSBN Chinese Nuke Submarines

中国大陆辽宁省副省长潭作钧近日透露，大陆第四代核潜艇已研制完成。

第一代：091/092
第二代：093/094 (已经部署的3艘094型)
第三代：095/096
第四代：097/098

Chinese Type 094 Jin Class Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN) will become fully operational next year with their JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and start regular combat patrols.

This is the 094 (2013.11)

中国094型“晋”级核潜艇

【中央社香港8月19日电】中国大陆辽宁省副省长潭作钧近日透露，大陆第四代核潜艇已研制完成。

香港《文汇报》今天引述大陆网友分析称，潭作钧提到的第四代陔潜艇应是095型攻击核潜艇和096型战略核潜艇。不过，香港军事分析家梁国粱说，大陆第四代核潜艇推断应是097型和098型。

梁国梁向中央社记者指出大陆自2000年起研制第四代核潜艇，传说这种潜艇的设计具有革命性，采用前所未有的磁流体推进方式，不用螺旋桨。

此外，这种潜艇甚至不用尾舵和水平舵，也可能没有围壳，所以不存在任何机械噪音和航行噪音，是真正的“大洋黑洞”。这种潜艇的理论速度达到100节，比普通高速鱼雷都快。

Development of China’s fourth-generation nuclear submarine completed

Development of China’s fourth-generation nuclear submarine completed
(People’s Daily Online) 14:33, September 22, 2013

At the recent 2013 Four Northeastern Provinces Cooperation Leaders’ Conference held in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, Tan Zuojun, vice governor of Liaoning Province and former general manager of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, revealed that development of China’s fourth-generation nuclear submarines and other high-tech weapons and items of equipment in the Northeastern Provinces of China had been completed. The news attracted considerable attention.

The fourth generation nuclear submarine features high performance and low noise

Military expert Du Wenlong pointed out that the main characteristic of the fourth generation nuclear submarine would be its high performance. Compared with earlier submarines, modern attack submarines differ significantly in offensive power, possessing both anti-submarine capabilities and also strong potential for anti-ship action and attacks on land-based targets. He pointed out that the fourth generation nuclear submarines of the United States and Russia already have these capabilities; China’s fourth-generation nuclear submarines too will be equipped with the appropriate torpedoes, along with missiles suitable for use against other sea-going or land-based targets. In addition, the Chinese submarine will have low noise output, a key indicator for measuring a modern nuclear submarine’s underwater survival capacity, as well as its ability to remain hidden during maneuvers, or undetected while launching an attack. He pointed out that the fourth-generation nuclear submarine will possess effective noise damping features, such as a quieter nuclear power plant with less vibration, and a more advanced hull muffler system, so that it will be difficult to detect even if within range of enemy sonar.

On the question when the fourth-generation nuclear submarine will enter service, Du Wenlong said that completion of development and completion of construction are two different phases – the cycle from completion of development to manufacturing, and then to fitting out and launch, can be very long, perhaps several years. Progress is determined by two factors: one is technical indicators, and the other is strategic need.

A significant enhancement of nuclear counterattack capability

Analysts believe that continual development of attack submarines and strategic nuclear submarines at times of peace, adding better performance and greater combat ability, can enhance strategic deterrence capability. China’s strategic nuclear forces are weapons to deter third parties from becoming involved in local conflicts. China firmly adheres to the principle of non-first use of nuclear weapons, but the existence of strategic nuclear submarines will give China a stronger voice and more room for maneuver in the case of any crisis. In addition, Song Xiaojun points out that the United States, Russia, Britain and France all possess modern strategic nuclear submarines as a symbol of their status as ‘Great Powers’; it is natural that China should be unwilling to lag behind.