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SCMP Reporter

A nuclear-powered People’s Liberation Army submarine fired a test missile on the high seas in the Pacific on Monday, according to Chinese state media.
The dummy warhead was fired at 12.01pm, state news agency Xinhua said.
China’s foreign ministry described the launch as a “routine arrangement” for the PLA’s annual military training, adding that it was in accordance with international law and practice, and was “not directed against any specific country or target”.
The test was China’s first known submarine-based missile test since 1982, and the first known to have been fired from a nuclear-powered submarine.
The governments of Japan and Australia confirmed they had been given advance notice of the launch.
Australian ⁠Foreign ⁠Minister Penny Wong said the launch was “destabilising” to the region.
“Australia has been clear that this ‌proposed test is ⁠in ⁠the context of a rapid ‌military build-up by China, which ‌is lacking in ‌the transparency ‌and reassurance as ⁠to intent that the region expects,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tokyo expressed “serious concern” about China’s military activities, saying it had asked Beijing to “rethink” the missile test to ensure it would not threaten Japan’s security, Kyodo News reported.
According to Agence France-Presse, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand were also alerted ahead of the launch.


Nuclear-powered submarines typically have a longer operational range and deployment period compared with conventional submarines.
Ballistic missile submarines are designed for stealth and usually deployed on their own, distinguishing them from attack submarines, which play a major role in aircraft carrier strike groups.
Powered by nuclear reactors, these vessels do not require frequent refuelling or external oxygen, allowing them to spend months in the deep ocean on standby for potential nuclear strikes.
It is unknown which type of submarine launched the missile. China’s main battle nuclear submarine is the Type 094. Beijing operates at least six of the vessels, which are considered ideal for deployment near the South China Sea.
These submarines are capable of firing JL-2 missiles, and possibly the more sophisticated JL-3 missiles, which can strike US territory from Chinese shores.
China’s more advanced nuclear submarine, the Type 095, was spotted for the first time earlier this year. The PLA is understood to be developing the even more advanced Type 096 submarine.
In September 2024, China conducted its first test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in 44 years, carrying a simulated warhead into international waters in the Pacific Ocean. Beijing notified the US military beforehand.
Over the past five years, Britain, the US, France, India and Russia have also carried out tests of submarine-launched strategic missiles.


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It is the PLA’s first known submarine-based missile test since 1982, and the first known to be fired from a nuclear-powered submarine


It is the PLA’s first known submarine-based missile test since 1982, and the first known to be fired from a nuclear-powered submarine.


China’s submarines

China’s military

Nuclear-powered Chinese submarine fires test missile in the Pacific

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}It is the PLA’s first known submarine-based missile test since 1982, and the first known to be fired from a nuclear-powered submarine

It is the PLA’s first known submarine-based missile test since 1982, and the first known to be fired from a nuclear-powered submarine