Now there is a naval base with six nuclear submarines

In recent months, satellite images have revealed some of the latest military key in China. In October 2024 a new missile launch point was discovered in A strategic island. In November it was the appearance of a mysterious ship whose dimensions left few doubts of their reach, and a few weeks ago the largest military center of the planet. The latest: a base with six surprises.

A hidden base. What happened has been possible through a Image update Satellite on Google Earth. Only then, Naval Analyst Alex Luck He found something That was not before: the presence of at least six nuclear submarines in the first submarine base in Qingdao, in the province of Shandong, China.

The same, located at a strategic point with direct access to the yellow sea, the Eastern China Sea and the Japan Sea, has been a high military sensitivity installation for years, but now it can be observed with relative clarity from public services of digital cartography. In other words, the active existence of a secret base of nuclear submarines where, as explained by the analyst, several docked nuclear submarines are identified, a revelation that confirms not only the sustained expansion of the Chinese underwater fleet, but also its growing commitment to reinforce strategic deterrence through naval power.

The submarines. The images from the space show at least six docked nuclear submarines, including two of Type 091 classtwo of class Type 093A and unidentified, in addition to a dry dike submarine that could be dismantled.

Also, According to the analysta Type 092currently out of service and replaced by the most modern Type 094. Said form, we would be facing five nuclear propulsion submarines (although these with conventional weapons), and at least one with nuclear ballistic capacity (SSBN). Plus: The base, which as we said until now had remained under a relative veil of secrecy, points to a centerpiece in the growing maritime expansion of China.

A Chinese submarine Type 094

Evolutionary deterrence. China currently has some 600 Nuclear Ojivasa modest figure compared to more than 5,000 from the United States, but enough to unleash a winter global nuclear in case of conflict. We have commented beforealthough Beijing maintains a policy of “Not first use” Of nuclear weapons, the country has begun to diversify its strategic arsenal, traditionally dependent on terrestrial and aerial platforms, through an expansion of its underwater force with nuclear capacity.

A THREAT INITIATIVE NUCLEAR REPORT He stressed that the Navy of the Popular Liberation Army (Plan) operates both nuclear propulsion submarines and a robust diesel-electric submarines, the latter being the back spine of its underwater power. However, the recent focus seems to modernize and expand its naval nuclear component, with expectations that its total fleet reaches 65 units by 2025, According to estimates of the US government, and 80 by 2035.

China goes very seriously. In the last fifteen years, China has built twelve submarines of nuclear propulsion: two Type 093 (Shang I class), four Type 093A (Shang II) and six Type 094 (Jin Class), the latter equipped with ballistic missiles launched from submarines (SLBM) as The JL-2 (CSS-N-14) and the most advanced JL-3 (CSS-N-20), thus representing the first marine nuclear dissuasion truly credible of the country.

Each submarine Jin class can transport up to 12 missiles, and They were shown Publicly during the parade for the 70th anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic of Popular in 2019. In parallel, the imminent construction of the new Type 096 is expected, which will operate together with the Type 094 during the 2030s, as part of that Objective marked by Xi Jinping of significantly strengthening this strategic branch.

The underwater race. No doubt, the discovery of this active and visible base from satellite is One more sample How the limits of strategic surveillance They have diluted in the era of digital cartography. However, and beyond the technological anecdote, the finding illustrates the growing role that marine deterrence will play in the Chinese nuclear strategy. With a fleet every time more advanced And a leadership determined to project power in the Western Pacific, the submarine program of the plan represents a critical dimension in the new geopolitical balance.

The challenge does not reside solely in the number of submarines, but in its technology, capacity for stealth, autonomy and strategic armament. As China continues to develop Its presence under the waters, Qingdao’s revelation serves as a reminder that the next great struggle for nuclear supremacy may not be seen from the surface, but observe (as now) from orbit.

Image | Google (Via Alexluck), United States Naval Institute

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