“These submarines will incorporate substantial advancements in nuclear reactor design, sensor performance, weapons integration, and noise quieting technologies,” Brookes said about two new Chinese submarines, the Type 095 and Type 096.
Brookes warned that the Type 096 “will be able to target large portions of the US from protected waters” near China’s coast.
Why It Matters
The announcement came on Monday as increased concern for nuclear capabilities unfolded due to U.S.-Israel military strikes in Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes throughout the Middle East.
Over the past year, the Chinese navy has made significant advances in shipbuilding and force projection, from commissioning its most advanced aircraft carrier, CNS Fujian, to conducting two notable, distant deployments in the broader western Pacific and around Australia, showing it is increasingly capable of challenging America’s naval supremacy.