Jianggezhuang Nuclear Submarine Base

Google Earth has a new image of the Jianggezhuang Nuclear Submarine Base available for those who are interested in such things. Hans Kristensen notes on the FAS Security Blog notes the image was taken on December 5, 2024 by the Quickbird Satellite. As the picture to the right highlights, you can see several PLAN nuclear submarines, in fact we see a total of 6 in port in the photography.

What is noteworthy is the submarine on the bottom. That is the only Type 092 Xia class SSBN, which had previously been seen in dry dock. We also note there are five SSNs in port, which are likely the five older Type 091 Han class SSNs, although it is hard to tell.

While it is understandable why the PLAN would upgrade the Xia, after all, they don't have very many nuclear submarines, we've been speculating what upgrades were potentially given. With the recent discussion of ASAT and SDI, not to mention after reading this post on Conventional Weapons on Trident Subs, I am reminded of an article Bill Gertz published in January that China was "building a submarine-launched direct-ascent missile system." Could it be the Xia was modified to support this initiative?

That reminded me of something else I read, "An Assessment of China's Anti-Satellite and Space Warfare Programs", an 80 page report that was put together following the Chinese January 11th ASAT test. It is a long read, but is the most up to date collection of research in the open source of the Chinese ASAT test, including hard to find materials on a Chinese ASAT strategy. In particular, quoting Professor Liu Huanyu of Dalian Naval Academy wrote an article called Sea-Based Anti-Satellite Platform where he says:

….Nuclear submarines are not only well concealed but can sail for a long period of time. By deploying just a few anti-satellite nuclear submarines in the ocean, one can seriously threaten the entire military space system of the enemy. In addition to anti-satellite operations, these nuclear submarines can also be used for launching low orbit tactical micro-satellites to serve as powerful real time battlefield intelligence support. The main weakness of a submarine is that it is difficult to install detection systems on a submarine. Submarines have a weak capability for autonomous searching and therefore need the support of the national space monitoring system.

That was written in 2004, and that report is loaded with details regarding ASAT discussions that invovled submarines. One wonders what the Xia Type 092 upgrade may have included.