China honours nuclear submarine unit and military equipment development department
- First-class merit citations go to a unit overseeing the South China Sea and one whose responsibilities include manned space flight and weapons development
- A brief announcement on state media did not provide the reason for the citations
Chinese President Xi Jinping has awarded first-class merit citations to two military units – but the reasons for the awards have not been made public.
Official information shows the equipment development department’s responsibilities include weapons development and procurement, equipment appraisal and the country’s manned space flight project.
The awards were announced in the run-up to the 96th anniversary of the PLA’s foundation on August 1.
“We don’t know what kind of job the Sanya-based troop was honoured for, but previous official information suggests that it might be some achievements related to the country’s nuclear submarine technology,” said Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor.
“The recent commendations indicate Beijing’s emphasis on strategic deterrence, with its nuclear capability needing to be enhanced in both quality and quantity.”
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The Sanya base plays host to the country’s most advanced nuclear-armed submarines, the Type 094A, or Jin-class, which can fire JL-3 ballistic missiles that have a range of 10,000km and are capable of striking the continental United States.
Beijing-based naval analyst Li Jie said submarine-launched missiles are a key component of the country’s nuclear deterrent as it seeks to counter US activities in the disputed South China Sea and around Taiwan.
“China has achieved significant achievements in upgrading its nuclear triad capability in recent years, but only the submarine-based missiles offer the strongest deterrence by escaping detection from US satellites,” Li said.
The nuclear triad consists of ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as weapons that can be launched from the sea or the air.
“The sub-launched JL-3 missile ensures Beijing has a credible second-strike capability once other countries attempt to attack China with a nuclear bomb,” Li said.
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“The honour to the Sanya-based submarine troop also shows Beijing has made every effort to enhance its nuclear deterrence to counter Washington’s possible military intervention in the event of a conflict over Taiwan.”
A report published by the Chinese Journal of Ship Research in 2016 said Troop 92730 had been working with the Qingdao-based Navy Submarine Academy and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company to enhance the stealth performance of vessels.
