The recent publication from the US Naval Technical Academy indicates that the PLA’s Type 096 nuclear ballistic missile submarine, after 3 years of testing, began active service in 2023. However, due to China’s strict military secrecy, little is known about it externally.
A recent report from the Chinese military column “Overlooking the World” on Tencent News stated that according to US intelligence estimates, the Chinese military has rectified many design flaws of the 094 nuclear submarines. The new Type 096 nuclear submarine has significantly improved performance and may be equipped with the JL-3 intercontinental missiles with a range of up to 12,000 kilometers and carrying 6 nuclear warheads. Analysis suggests that the Type 096 submarines may have the capability to launch missiles under the polar ice cap.
The report cites expert analysis indicating that the Type 096 nuclear submarines are almost certainly equipped with shaftless pump jet propulsion, free-floating damping floats, flexible noise reduction pipelines, third-generation silencing tiles, side sonar arrays, concealed and controllable water outlets, all-electric propulsion systems, and an 18-unit submarine-launched ballistic missile vertical launch system.
In addition, the optimized design of the Type 096 nuclear submarine’s large-diameter pressure-resistant hull almost entirely integrates with the upper fairing of the submarine, making it appear completely devoid of a “turtle back” and significantly reducing noise emissions.
The report mentions that due to the extremely strict secrecy measures taken by the Chinese military regarding the Type 096 nuclear submarine, combined with its advanced silent technology, very little public information is available.
Regarding the silent technology of the Type 096 nuclear submarine, experts analyze that the preceding Type 095 attack nuclear submarines, in service before the Type 096, had already controlled noise levels to around 95 decibels, almost indistinguishable from the background noise of the ocean, making them difficult to be targeted by anti-submarine equipment. The Type 096 nuclear submarine is expected to possess similar levels of silent capability. This suggests that if the Type 096 nuclear submarine were to submerge in the ocean, it would be nearly impossible to detect.