Satellite images raise prospect of new class of Chinese submarine

By Greg Torode

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Navy analysts say a vessel noticed in a Chinese language shipyard in uncommon, latest satellite tv for pc pictures might be a brand new or upgraded class of nuclear-powered assault submarine.

It isn’t clear whether or not the submarine is a brand new mannequin, an improve of an current vessel or one thing else. However diplomats and analysts have been watching intently after a Pentagon report in November mentioned the Chinese language navy was doubtless within the subsequent few years to construct a brand new assault submarine with vertical launch tubes for cruise missiles.

Pictures obtained by Reuters from non-public satellite tv for pc imagery supplier Planet Labs and others circulating on social media present the submarine in a dry dock in Huludao Port in Liaoning province.

GRAPHIC: Chinese language assault submarine below satellite tv for pc scrutiny – https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-MILITARY/SUBMARINE/myvmnylybpr/China-Submarine.jpg

Greenish covers shroud areas behind its superstructure and stern – components of the vessel that might home missile launch tubes and a brand new, quieter propulsion system, analysts mentioned. Such clear pictures of submarines in dry dock are seldom seen.

The submarine was out of the water between April 24 and Could 4, and was later seen principally submerged in the identical place after the dry dock was flooded.

Singapore-based safety scholar Collin Koh mentioned there was a substantial amount of curiosity within the prospect of a brand new class of Chinese language Kind 093 “hunter-killer” submarine with vertical launch tubes for guided missiles. However he mentioned the latest satellite tv for pc pictures had been too restricted to definitively determine the vessel.

The photographs “are very attention-grabbing however it’s nonetheless very laborious to make sure but whether or not we’re taking a look at some sort of refit for testing or a complete new class of submarine,” mentioned Koh, of the S. Rajaratnam College of Worldwide Research.

Koh mentioned he and others had been watching intently to see whether or not new Chinese language submarines would shift to quieter pump-jets as an alternative of standard propellers for propulsion. As a result of the strict is shrouded, it’s not doable to inform what kind of propulsion the ship within the picture makes use of.

Vertical launch tubes would add appreciable flexibility to China’s “hunter killer” submarine fleet, arming the vessels with extra guided missiles.

The Chinese language Defence Ministry didn’t instantly reply to Reuters’ requests for remark.

China’s assault submarines are evolving to deal with a rising vary of potential calls for, from defending ballistic missile submarines and the Individuals’s Liberation Military Navy’s plane provider battlegroups to monitoring enemy ships.

Jeffrey Lewis, a professor in arms management on the Middlebury Institute of Worldwide Research at Monterey, mentioned the most recent pictures raised extra questions than solutions as to whether or not they revealed a brand new class of vessel.

“It is believable, however there are questions I might need answered. It wasn’t in dry dock very lengthy and it’s unclear how they could have reconfigured this submarine,” he mentioned. “Given the Pentagon report, there’s definitely plenty of curiosity.”

(Reporting By Greg Torode. Modifying by Gerry Doyle)