While reviewing Google Earth, Hans Kristensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists' Nuclear Information Project, found a commercial satellite image of the newest Chinese nuclear-powered, ballistic-missile submarine.
The submarine is a Jin-class (Type 094) SSBN, believed to have at least 12 missile tubes. It was photographed in port at Xiaopingdao Submarine Base south of Dalian, approximately 193 miles north of Qingdao.
Satellite image Jin-class SSBN (top), U.S. Navy diagram (bottom)
The Jin-class submarine is believed to be larger and quieter than previous designs and it's expected to carry missiles with a 5,000-mile range, a dramatic advance over previous capabilities of 1,100 miles. Chinese intentions are being questioned because the ability to project power by the Jin-class submarine is greater than any regional needs.
Heh.
Companion post at Conservative Thinking.
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