China for the first time will likely have subs equipped with long-range nuclear missiles later this year, part of an increasingly potent submarine fleet, a top US officer said Tuesday,
The head of US Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Locklear, said the latest class of Chinese subs would be armed with a new ballistic missile with an estimated range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,500 kilometers).
"This will give China its first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent, probably before the end of 2014," Locklear told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Locklear was referring to the production of China's JIN-class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine and the new JL-2 missile on board the vessel.
"China’s advance in submarine capabilities is significant. They possess a large and increasingly capable submarine force," the admiral said.
Locklear said China's submarine modernization effort was impressive.
China now has five nuclear attack submarines, four nuclear ballistic missile submarines, and 53 diesel attack submarines, according to Jess Karotkin of the Office of Naval Intelligence.
He added that Chinese military operations were "expanding in size, complexity, duration and geographic location."
Credit to Business Insider.com
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/nuclear-missiles-on-chinese-submarines-2014-3#ixzz2x7tCKHC7
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