Type 092 submarine

Profile of the type 092
Class overview
Name: Xia-class
Builders: Bohai Shipyard, Huludao
Operators:  People's Liberation Army Navy
Succeeded by: Type 094 (Jin-class)
Built: 1981
In commission: 1987
Completed: 1
Active: 1
General characteristics
Type: SSBN
Displacement: 8,000 tonnes (submerged)
Length: 120 m (393 ft 8 in)
Beam: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draught: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
Propulsion: 1 × pressurized-water nuclear reactor, 58MW; 2 × steam turbines; 1 shaft.
Speed: 22 kn
Range: Unlimited
Test depth: 300 m (984 ft 3 in)
Crew: 100
Armament:
  • 6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 12 × JL-1A SLBMs

The Type 092 (Chinese designation: 09-II; NATO reporting name: Xia-class) submarine was the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deployed by the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force, and the first SSBN designed and built in Asia.

Background

The first and only confirmed submarine of its class, boat 406, was laid down in 1978 at Huludao, 120 miles north-east of Beijing; she was completed in 1981. She then spent 6 years being fitted out and conducting tests with its 12 JL-1 missiles, becoming active in 1987. Later, the submarine went through numerous upgrades in incremental step, including using Type H/SQ2-262B sonar manufactured by No. 613 Factory replacing the original Type 604 sonar on board. It reportedly suffered from limited missile range and high sound emissions.[1]

She was designed by Peng Shilu (彭士禄) and Huang Xuhua (黄旭华),[2] and derived from the Type 091 submarines, with an extended hull to accommodate twelve missile tubes.

The 092 has undergone numerous refits, currently featuring a new black paint, possible quieting technologies, French-designed sonar, and the improved longer ranged JL-1A SLBM. Homeported in Jianggezhuang near Qingdao, it is reported that the 092 has never conducted strategic patrols outside Chinese regional waters.[3]

The 092 is aging however and a new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the Type 094, has been developed and deployed by the People's Liberation Army Navy. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency lists the 092 as being "not operational."[4] While its capability is still being questioned, Xia made its worldwide debut on 23 April 2009 celebrating the 60th anniversary of THE PLA Navy's founding.[5]

Rumour of a lost second boat

A second boat is thought to have been completed in 1982, however this is debatable. There is little information regarding the history of this ship if in fact it actually existed. It is suggested, though not confirmed, that this second Type 092 was lost in an accident in 1985.[6][7][8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Does China have an effective sea-based nuclear deterrent?". CSIS China Power.
  2. ↑ Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein: China's future nuclear submarine force – Insights from Chinese Writings, Naval War College Review, Winter 2007, Vol. 60, No. 1, p55-79.
  3. ↑ Taylor, Marcus; Tamerlani, Eric; Farnsworth, Timothy (June 2013). "Pentagon Sees China Progressing on SLBM". Arms Control Today. Arms Control Association. 43 (5): 31–32. JSTOR 23629520. (subscription required (help)).
  4. ↑ Type 092 Xia Class SSBN
  5. ↑ China's navy – Distant horizons, economist.com
  6. ↑ Type 092 Xia submarine, China, janes.com
  7. ↑ Xia class, military-today.com
  8. ↑ Nuclear submarine guide, China: Type 092, fas.org
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