Type 092 XIA SSBN

In 1978 China launched its first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), designated as “Type 092 Daqingyu” (Chinese designation 09-II) although in the West it is known as “Type 092 Xia Class SSBN”. The designers used the Type 091 Han class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) as a base, increasing the overall length to be able to incorporate 12 vertical silos for the launch of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). After several years of testing, the Type 092 was declared operational in 1987, although many analysts have always doubted the real capabilities of this submarine and consider it simply a prototype with which China has learned the use of this type of boat. The only Type 092 built was decommissioned from the People’s Liberation Army Submarine Force at some point before 2020, when it stopped appearing in the annual international Military Balances, although the exact date is unknown.

Type 092 XIA SSBN gallery and more info