China’s navy inducts two advanced nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines

Beijing: China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has reportedly inducted two new and advanced nuclear-powered submarines into service. A Hong Kong daily reported the details based on information received from Chinese military sources. Only last month, the US Congressional report stated concerns over the growing strength of the Chinese navy and especially its new submarines. The inclusion of the latest advanced submarines, in the Chinese navy, therefore, becomes significant.

Last week, the Chinese navy (PLAN) had organised a parade to commemorate its 71st anniversary. The new submarines were a part of the show. Both the nuclear submarines are enhanced variants of the Type 094 Jin-class design, and the Chinese PLA Navy has even released a video of the subs. The video shows both submarines launching the JL-2 ballistic missiles.

The Jin-class subs are equipped with upgraded radars, sonars, with an addition of new torpedoes and more missiles, informed sources from the Chinese military. As per Hong Kong daily ‘South China Morning Post’, the inclusion of the new nuclear-powered submarines will bolster the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s underwater combat strength. The subs are designed to carry 16 JL-2 missiles with a range of a whopping 7,000 Kilometres.

The inclusion of the new submarines is considered to be a part of the aggressive expansionist strategy China has undertaken for the last few years. Only last year, the Chinese navy commissioned the indigenously built aircraft carrier ‘Shandong’. Along with the addition of new destroyers, work on the development of a nuclear attack submarine has been initiated as well. The inclusion of the new submarines takes the total number of warships in the Chinese navy to 66, and at least ten more would be inducted in the next ten years, the US Congressional report indicated.

The aggressive expansionist agenda of China’s PLA Navy is considered to be a part of China’s ambitious strategy to dominate the Indo-Pacific along with the South China Sea.

China is exploiting the Covid-19 crisis against which the world is busy fighting and attempting to tighten its grip over the South China Sea. A few days ago, Chinese coast guard vessels had dashed against a Vietnamese fishing boat. Before that, Chinese and Malaysian ships had a face-off. The incidents point to rising tensions in the South China Sea. China using aggressive manoeuvres to fulfil its ambitions even amid a global crisis, which has further intensified the opposition against China over the South China Sea.

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