china revisions of the types 092 (xia) and 094 (jin)

The True History of Submarine Boats SPECIAL NOTES

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China – Revisions of the Types 092 (Xia) and 094 (Jin) Nuclear Powered Ballistic Missile Submarines

Eric Genevelle & Richard W Stirn – September 2021

In 2020, when writing the book

(www.eric-genevelle.fr), I obviously

looked at the Types 092 and 094 but I still

had the feeling of incomplete work. We

must admit that Cina knows how to keep

its secrets. And when there are secrets,

there are problems with interpretation

and more, suddenly many unnecessary

theories. We imagine things that are not

there and we miss hidden truths. In April

2021, a video report showed President Xi

Jinping inaugurating a new Type 094, named Changzhen-18, the

perfect opportunity to speculate on the number of such Jin-class

hulls. Everyone drew their theories out of the old variants but,

in the end, none

were satisfactory.

It was now time to get back to this subject. It is now done thanks to a collaborative

work with Richard W Stirn, a former US Navy sonar technician who served aboard the

USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) who usefully occupies his free time in Baltimore to study

the masts and antennas in submarine sails from around the world, and above all, to

create magnificent illustrations (www.patreon.com/upscope). These 6090 km that

separate us have finally brought us together to deliver the results of our studies to you.

You will see it is complex and the worst part is that there are still unknowns but as of

writing, here is our “ state-of-the-art”.

At first we only wanted to work on the Jin class (Type 094), but we very

quickly found that a lot of photos labelled as 094 were likely Xia class

(Type 092). According to official data, there was only one Xia that had

been modernized and possibly a second hull that was said to have been

the victim of an accident. These two units are said to have the same hull

number, 406. Other sources list four hulls, so the decision was to study

these two hulls and start over from the beginning.

During this investigation, we studied the general shape of the

submarine, the dimensions, the shape of the sails, the arrangement and

number of exhaust holes on the sail, and the limber (drainage) holes

on the hull which are used to evacuate water or air from the

superstructure. The shape and arrangement of the limber holes is very

important. Some holes are made up of a series of small openings (grid)

and others are in the form of a continuous line (zipper). The zipper

shape is more technologically advanced because it allows for easier

water flow. Grid vents are more rustic but easier to make (stiffens the

whole structure). In general, the fewer the vents, the smoother they are

and less acoustic noise.

Official model at the Lüishunkou Submarine Museum (Port Arthur)

Photo Sergey Balakin 2016

Grid Zipper

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One might be surprised at the presence of all these vents on the Types 092 and 094 (found on former Soviet missile submarines).

The reason is simple. Chinese missile submarines were built from the hulls of attack submarines (091 for the 092 and 093 for the

094). Since the ballistic missiles were taller than the pressure hull, they built the characteristic “missile hump” to house them. The

free space between the hull and the deck of the hump is therefore greater and this requires vents or limber holes to allow water and

air to escape the space.

During this study we decided to give a name to the variants that we identified. These names are, by no means, the official Chinese

names for them. As for the Types 039 and 093, the Chinese consider that each boat is continually evolving and are therefore only

variants, without specifying any codification.

The names of the vessels

The units are named Changzheng (Long March in english) followed

by a number (for example Changzheng 18). But this number does

not always correspond to the hull number. For example, the

Changzheng 18 is number 421. Generally speaking, all Chinese

nuclear submarines are named Chanzheng. The first Type 091 (Han

class) boats were numbered sequentially (Changzheng 1 = 401,

Changzheng 2 = 402, etc). The first 092 (Xia class) was numbered

406, as this was the 6th nuclear powered hull). In 2021, China

launched a new Jin (094), the Changzheng 18 N°421. It is, therefore,

normally the 21st nuclear powered hull. Usually…

Because in this entirely military organization, there are anomalies.

Indeed, we discover that there are several Xia (Type 092) hulls with

the number 406 (see below) and that would be 4 Jin (094)

submarines with the number 409. What put us on the track is that

each boat has a crew (information from Minnie Chan and her local

informants – South China Morning Post). Each boat has only one

crew, unlike the French or American missile boats. However, for

number 409, there are crews 41, 42, 43 and 44. For other Type 094s

there is only one crew number. The purpose of

this deception is to minimize the number of

existing submarines and deceive observers

about their locations. Indeed, if a spy observes

a 409 at its homeport, he wouldn’t think there

is another 409 out on patrol. Chine (like many

other countries) has decided to no longer

display the hull number on its vessels. They

even tamper with photos to hide their

identification (demonstrated below for the Xia

N°406).

Size comparison of Xia (092) / Jin (094)

Two satellite images are now available (see

figure below) which clearly show two missile

submarines of different dimensions.

The first image is from 2005 and shows a Xia

class (Type 092) in drydock at the

Jianggezhuang Submarine Base about 14 miles

east of Qingdao. The submarine is approximately 390 feet (120

mètres) long with a a missile compartment being approximately 80

feet (25 mètres). Twelve missile launcher tubes are clearly visible.

The second image, from late 2006, shows what appears to be the

new Jin class (Type 094) docked at the Xiaopingdao Submarine

Base south of Dalian, about 193 miles north of Qingdao. The Jin

class appears to be approximately 35 feet (10 mètres) longer than

the Xia class, primarily due to an extended mid-section of 115 feet

(35 mètres) that houses the missile tubes and part of the reactor

compartment..






Xia Class Type 092 (1987 - ?)

Country of Manufacture Chinea

Studies 1978-81

Service Period 1987 - ?

Expected Number ?

Actual Numbers 2 - 4 (estimation)

Number in Service ?

Number Lost 1

Propulsion / Propeller DE / 1 x 7 blades

Length 120 m

Beam 10 m

Displacement (S-P) 6.000 – 7.000 t

Depth 300 m

Surface Speed ?

Dived Speed 22 kts

Crew 104

Armement Torpedos, missiles B

his class (a copy of a modified

Soviet Delta III class) was built in

the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao

(Liaoning province, 200 km northeast of

Beijing).

Indisputable data :

● 1970 : Start of the projet

● 1978 : Start of construction

● 30 April 1981 : Launch of the 1st 092

● 25 August 1983 : Delivery of the 1st 092

● 1982 : Launch of the 2nd 092

● 1984-1985 : JL-1 missile test launch => Failed

● 1985 : Accident and loss of the 2nd 092 (conditional)

● 1985 : End of the 092 construction program

● 27 September 1988 : JL-1 missile tests

● 1995 : 1st appearance at sea of the 092

● 1995 – 1999 : Modernization of 092 (black hull + missile JL-

1A)

● December 2000 : Appearance of a modernized 092 in PLAN

exercises

● March 2001 : A 092 was not operational (conditional)

● 2004 : Satellite photo of a 092 at the Jianggezhuang base

● 2005-2007 : Observation of a 092 being repaired in a drydock

near Qingdao

● 2007 : A 092 fired 3 JL-1 missiles

● 23 April 2009 : A 092 commemorated the establishment of the

PLAN

● 2010 : A 092 would be extended until 2010

● 2013 : A 092 observed at the pier

According to official public data, there is only one N° 406

(Changzheng 6), but the "China Military Power Report" estimates

there are a total of four hulls (A, B, C and D) of the same type : one

ship that was scrapped due to a nuclear leakage accident, two ships

were deployed to the North Sea Fleet, and one ship was deployed

to the South Sea Fleet. "Jane's Naval Yearbook" and English

Wikipedia believe that there are two boats of the same type, but the

second boat was destroyed by a missile explosion during the launch

test of the Julang-1 missile in 1985.

The first hull identified has the following characteristics :

● The top of the sail plunges towards the stern

● 4 lines of limber holes + 1 line of zipper holes on the hull

● Under the front portion of the sail, a series of 4 + 2 limber

holes

● 6 windows in the sail

● Sonar window on the front of the sail, under the fairwater

planes

● Exhaust vents on the port side of the sail (3x6)

● The exhaust vents straddle the numbers 0 and 6

● Two holes (sensors) on the front of the sail

● No towed sonar array

T 092 config 1



The True Story of Submarine Boats SPECIAL NOTES



We then find the perfidy of the Chinese Navy in the following two

photos :

There is now another photo of a Xia numbered 406. This photo was

most likely taken by a wide-angle lens (surveillance camera?)

during the launch ceremony. We do not see why there would be so

much fanfare for a refit!

The second hull has the following characteristics (in red are the

differences from the 1st hull) :



● Under the front portion of the sail, a series of 2 + 4 limber holes



planes


● The exhaust vents are on the number 6 (the 406 is painted more

forward on the sail)

● Two holes (sensors) on the front of the sail


We find this configuration on the model below :

So here we have clear proof that there are several examples of this

boat or extensive overhauls.

092 config 2






Modernized Type 092

This class was therefore modernized between 1995 and 1999. What

is obvious is its change of color. The boat turns from a gray to black.

It is sometimes found as 092G.

The characteristics are as follows (in red are the differences post

modernization) :


● 2 lines of grid vents + 1 line of zipper vents on the hull

● Under the forward port part of the sail, a series of 1+3 limber

holes

● Under the forward starboard part of the sail , a series of 2+2

limber holes



planes



● Modified sensors on the bow

In the photos below, it is surprising to note that the arrangement of

the limber holes under the sail differ from the port side (1 + 3) and

on the starboard (2 + 2)

Of the 17 photos available on the internet, nothing allows us to

identify several hulls. They all look the same.

092 modernisé






Jin Class Type 094 (2007 - ?)

Country of Manufacture China

Studies 1994 - 1999

Service Period 2007 -

Expected Number ?

Actual Number 8-10 (estimation)

Number in Service ?

Number Lost 0

Propulsion / Propeller N / 1 x 7 blades

Length 133 m

Beam 12,5 m

Displacement (S-P) 8.000 - 11.000 t

Depth 140 m

Surface Speed 25 kts

Depth Depth 30 kts

Crew 120

Armement Torpedoss, missiles (B)

nown as the Jin class, the Type 094 is the 2nd generation of

nuclear missile submarines commissionedby the People’s

Liberation Army Navy. The first hull was completed in

2007.

The characteristics, which have not been the subject of any official

publication, are not well known.

To develop this SSBN, the Chinese bought Russian technology.

From the outside, the Type 094 looks like a first-generation Soviet

Delta class SSBN. It is also very noisy.

Submarines of this class have a length of 133 meters, a diameter of

12,5 meters and a submerged displacement of 11.000 tonnes. It

carries twelve JL-2 ballistic missiles with a range of 7 to 8.000 km,

each with three or four nuclear warheads.

And this is where it gets complicated. In the current literature, there

are two subtypes of the 094. The original 094 has a squared sail, a

more tapered missile superstructure (with two lines of limber holes

instead of three) and a retrofitted towed sonar array dispenser on top

of the upper rudder.

In terms of armement, they carry the new Julang-2A (JL-2A)

ballistic missile with a greater range than the JL-2. The missile could

hit te whole of the United States from the Yulin Naval Base on

Hainan island.

Indisputable data :

● 1994 : Decision to create a new SSBN

● 1997 : Official launch of Project 094

● 1999 : Start of construction of the 1st 094

● July 2004 : Construction completed of the 1st 094

● End of 2006 : A 094 was spotted by satellite

● July 2007 : China announces the first 094 has been completed

on the 80th anniversary of the founding of the military

● 2007 : Two 094 spotted by satellite

● July 2009 : Presentation of a model at an exhibition of models

of Chinese military equipment in Hong Kong

● Autumn 2009 : Two 094s in service

● 2012 : Aerial photos of a 094

● 2012 : Entry into service of Changzheng 11 (N°413)

● 2013 : Three 094s operational

● 2015 : Four 094s operational

● June 2016 : A 094A variant (rounded sail) is photographed for

the 1st time

● 2017 : A 094A is photographed

● 2017 : Four 094s are visible in a satellite photo of Longpo

● 12 April 2018 : Presentation of two 094A (including one 094A,

the second is not identifiable) during the 69th anniversary of the

PLAN

● November 2018 : Two 094A are visible outside the Bohai

Shipyard in Huludao

● 23 April 2019 : The 094B – N°412 (Changzheng 10) and another

094 appear in the maritime parade for the 70th anniversary of the

PLAN

● October 2019 : Official announcement that a 094 (unspecified

variant) launched a JL-2 missile

● May 2020 : The US Navy notes that 2 new 094 (A or B) are

available (for a total of 6)

● June 2020 : Presentation of a new 094B launched in April during

the 71st anniversary of the PLAN

● 23 April 2021 : Presentation of a new 094B Changzheng 18 –

N°421 during the 72nd anniversary of the PLAN

It is now a question of understanding the evolution of this Jin class

with regards to the elements at our disposal.

Basic version (094)

K

Lancement du 1er exemplaire de la série (2004)






Type 094 on 23 April 2019 during the 70th anniversary of the

PLAN

The characteristics are as follows :

● Squared sail


● 1 line of zipper holes on the bow


● Exhaust vents on the port side (4x6)

● Towed sonar array dispenser on top of rudder

Oddly we find a variant in two photos (see below) which only has 5

windows instead of 6. As we don’t see the point of photoshopping

this kind of feature, we wait to find more information. This version

we call the 094Abis.

These photos also allow us to see the very large number of drainage

holes on the superstructure of the submarine, which further

demonstrates how far is needed to go to make truly silent boats.

Another photo (below) taken in Sanya Naval Base (Yalong

Peninsula) raises questions. We can see two 094s with a fairing on

the stern of the sail and longer than usual fairwater planes. The

exhaust vents on the sail are located

further back. Also, the missile

compartment superstructure appears

much lower and at a more shallow

vertical angle than it should be.

Finally, the shadow on the pontoon shows the photo was taken

around noon. However, there is no shade see under the fairwater

planes, which is abnormal (see in comparison to the 1st photo of

094). We therefore conclude it is probably a fake, especially as the

fairing at the base of the sail has not been found in any other photos.

Upgraded version 1 (094A)

This version is commonly referred to as the 094A, though the

Chinese do not use this classification style.

The characteristics are as follows (in red are the modifications

since the basic 094) :

● The sail is rounded on top and faired into the hull at the

bottom


● 1 line of zipper holes on the bow

● No windows in the sail

● Exhaust vents on the port side (4x6)

● Towed sonar array dispenser on the rudder is modified

094A le 12 avril 2018 lors du 69ème anniversaire du PLAN

094

094A






This is the version that was observed off Vietnam by fishermen in

October 2019 (Photo above).

Upgraded version 2 (094B)

The characteristics are as follows (in red are the modifications

since the 094A) :

● The sail is rounded on top and faired into the hull at the

bottom

● 1 line of limber holes + 1 line of zipper holes on the hull

● No limber holes on the bow

● No windows in the sail

● Exhaust vents on the port side

(4x6)

● Towed sonar array dispenser

on the rudder is modified

Presentation of Changzheng 10 (N°412) on 23 April 2019 during

the 70th anniversary of the PLAN

Launch of Changzheng 18 (N°421) on 21 April 2021

We decided to name this variant 094B because it has significant

differences (limber holes) from the 094A, as was the case between

094 and the 094A (sail). But this is only the personal choice of the

authors.

094B






Submarines without nuclear warheads!

This is the strangest part of this article because Chinese

military doctrine prohibits its submarines from carrying

ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads in peacetime. All

the submarines therefore sail empty, and, in peacetime, the

policy of deterrence is based solely on land-based missile

sites (and there are many of them). We do not know if this

is due to a lack of confidence in their crews, in means of

communication, or in their submarines, but it is a reality.

In the end, how many missile boats?

Very difficult to say as the secret is well kept. In 2018,

recent visitors to the bay surrounding a submarine base on

the south coast of the Chinese island of Hainan describe a

curious nocturnal phenomenon. Powerful spotlights are

sometimes shone directly on the ocean fronts of

neighboring hotels making visibility towards the sea

virtually impossible. Some of the lights are mounted ashore

and others on passing naval patrol boats. And that’s without

counting the shelters dug into the rock that allow the units to be

camouflaged (Port of Yalong).

But in any case, these submarines don’t stray too far from China’s

shores. The fact that they are quite noisy (despite great efforts to

reduce their signature), they remain fairly easy to detect and their

exit from (disputed) territorial waters does not go unnoticed. China

does not seem to suffer too much from this compartmentalization

as their new JL-2A missiles have a range of nearly 8.600 km and

allow them to hit American targets from the China Sea. China’s

noisy SSBNs stay close to China’s shores as China is believed to

follow a naval bastion protection strategy. This specifically means

that if China’s SSBNs encounter a threat they will be in range of

protective Chinese land based aircraft.

There are still satellite photos but these do not identify the

characteristics of the variants. There are official inaugurations or

parades to try to unravel the Chinese mystery.

For several years now, in April we have the parades organized for

the anniversary of the PLAN, but it did not take place in 2021. On

the other hand, we had the inauguration of Changzheng 18

(N°421). During this video, the first images are a bird’s eye view

of the port of Yalong. This was an opportunity for us to count three

other Types 094s (without being able to identify the exact model).

This is not the first time that we can observe three or four 094s

stationed there.

It could also be based on the name Changzheng, but to make

matters worse, not only are all the nuclear submarines called

Changzheng, but also the Chinese satellite launchers (like

Changzheng 11). One could also deduce from the Changzheng 18

the 5 Type 091s, the 2 or 4 Type 092s (but which have the same

number) and the Type 093s (Shang class) to find the result. Since

we do not know their numbers either, we have made no progress!

Or, we start from the hull numbers, with 401 being the first nuclear

powered submarine and the last being 421, that’s 21 hulls to find.

But since there were at least two 406s (092), four 409s (094), two

094As, one 094Abis, two 094Bs… we’ll let you count for yourself.



china revisions of the types 092 (xia) and 094 (jin)

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