Six nuclear submarines have been discovered at a previously hidden Chinese military base.
Satellite imagery has revealed that at least half a dozen active submarines are resting at the First Submarine Base in Qingdao, which has direct access to the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan.
Alex Luck, an independent naval analyst from who first spotted the images, said five of the nuclear-powered submarines on the once-secret base were conventionally armed.
These included two Type 091 submarines, two Type 093A submarines, and one unidentified submarine.
The only Chinese Type 092 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, which is no longer operational and was recently replaced by Type 094, was also visible in the images.
Experts have suggested that the base could be a central part of China’s expanding martime strategy.
Last night campaigners called on Western nations to take a tougher stance on Beijing in light of their military buildup.
Robert Clark, the head of UK Public Affairs and Advocacy at the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, told : ‘This alarming development confirms two important facets of Chinese military strategy – the first is their intent to continually defy international law by increasing their rate of nuclear proliferation.
Satellite imagery has revealed some of China’s latest military construction
At least half a dozen active submarines are resting at the First Submarine Base in Qingdao, which has direct access to the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan
Five of the nuclear-powered submarines on the once-secret base are conventionally armed, with the other possessing a ballistic missile.
Experts have suggested that the base could be a central part of China’s expanding martime strategy
Strategically located with direct access to the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, this base has long been a sensitive military facility
‘The second is their desire to not only break through as a truly ‘blue water’ navy, but to actively dominate the strategically important sea lines of communication all the way out to the third island chain, and as far as and in the Indian Ocean.
‘The base at Qingdao and their recently revealed nuclear submarines will give Beijing an enormous strategic edge in this regard.
‘As the US begins to follow a more isolationist policy, today’s deployment of the Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific must incorporate passage of the Taiwan Strait – just as previous deployments have done – to send a clear signal to China that it does not control these waters and islands which it has no legitimate basis’.
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Beijing’s focus now appears to be modernising the nuclear component of its arsenal.
China currently possesses about 600 nuclear warheads, but maintains a no-first-use nuclear weapons policy.
It has built 12 nuclear-powered submarines over the last 15 years, including six Jin-class model, which were proudly displayed in a parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic in 2019.
Each of these can carry up to 12 missiles.
Experts also expect another new type of the submarine – the 096 – to be operational in the 2030s. This will likely be armed with a longer-range ballistic missile to bolster China’s naval deterrence efforts.
A nuclear-powered Type 094A Jin-class ballistic missile submarine
US intelligence estimates that the PLAN is expected to grow its fleet from 60 to 65 submarines by the end of this year, and to 80 by 2035
Overall, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China possesses both a nuclear-powered submarine fleet and a robust diesel-electric submarine fleet.
US intelligence estimates that the PLAN is expected to grow its fleet from 60 to 65 submarines by the end of this year, and to 80 by 2035.
Luke De Pulford, Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, told : ‘China is engaged in what the former foreign secretary called the biggest military buildup in history.
‘We, meanwhile, have our heads buried in the sand, sending ministers to China in the hope of more trade and investment as if nothing is wrong.
‘We need to wake up fast and realise that Beijing is on a war footing, and escalation over Taiwan could cost the world 10% of global GDP or even more.
‘We should be acting with allies to determine red lines and develop meaningful deterrence.’
It is believed that the submarines, as well as acting as a deterrent, could also provide Beijing with a second-strike option, meaning they will be able retaliate with nuclear weapons if they sustain a nuclear attack.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing, however. In 2023, a Zhou-class vessel – the first of a new kind of Chinese submarine – sank in a dock, according to US defence officials and satellite imagery.
China’s capability build-up comes in light of increasing fears that they are preparing to invade Taiwan
Luke De Pulford, Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, told : ‘China is engaged in what the former foreign secretary called the biggest military buildup in history
China’s capability build-up comes in light of increasing fears that they are preparing to invade Taiwan.
Last week Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported a sharp rise in Chinese military activity around its airspace and waters.
According to the MND, 34 aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), six naval vessels from the PLAN and two official ships were detected around the island.
Earlier this month – just days after China held live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait – Taiwanese authorities started a two-week long military simulation to prepare for an assault on the island.