A Pentagon report released on October 20 confirmed that the improved submarines seen in Chinese shipyards over the past 18 months are Type 093B guided-missile submarines.

The Pentagon report said that in the short term, the Chinese navy “will have the ability to conduct long-range precision strikes against land targets from submarines and warships using land-attack cruise missiles.”

Some analysts believe the Chinese navy will quickly deploy these vessels as an additional weapon against aircraft carriers, allowing attacks from much greater range than previous attack submarine fleets.

The confirmation comes amid a growing submarine arms race as China builds a new generation of nuclear-powered vessels as part of its military deterrent.

Hoang Ton (according to Reuters)