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Is China building a new type of attack submarine? Satellite images hint at stealth gains

Vessel spotted at Shanghai shipyard features smaller sail, suggesting a new class of nuclear sub with better range, analysts say

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A US Navy officer has projected that China will have a fleet of about 80 submarines by 2035, roughly half of them nuclear-powered. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Gabriel Dominguez
China may be developing a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine with improved range and stealth, according to analysis based on recent satellite imagery.
The images, captured at Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard, show what analysts believe is a previously unidentified submarine featuring a dramatically reduced sail compared with existing Type 093 attack submarines – a design they say could improve performance.

The submarine first came to public attention in early June when naval analyst H.I. Sutton reported on it for Naval News, with TWZ and Japan’s Asahi Shimbun later publishing additional images and analysis.

High-resolution BlackSky images captured on May 29 show the boat on a floating dock. Experts suggest it is about 120 metres (394 feet) long with a 10-metre beam – similar in width to the Type 093 family but roughly 10 metres longer overall.

“The submarine appears to be a new class,” said Timothy Heath, owner of research firm Perceptum, pointing to its greater length and reduced sail.

A Western submarine analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, agreed that it appeared to be a new design but said its propulsion type remained uncertain.

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