According to information published by Global Times on November 21, 2022, China has equipped six of its Jin-class (Type 094) submarines with JL-3 intercontinental ballistic missiles.
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Type 094 Jin-class submarine Changzheng 18 (Picture source: Twitter account of AAG_th)
This is the first time the US has acknowledged that China has fielded the weapons on its nuclear-powered submarines, allowing it to hit the continental US from much closer to its own shores.
China's previous model SLBM, the JL-2, had a range about 7,200 kilometers, while the new JL-3 could have a range of more than 10,000 kilometers, the report said, citing other sources.
China has not announced the commissioning of the JL-3.
A test launch of a JL-3 was allegedly carried out in June 2019, and Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense at the time said that the scheduled tests were normal.
About the Jin-class submarines
The Type 094 (Jin-class) is a class of ballistic missile submarines developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force. The Type 094 succeeds the Type 092 submarine and precedes the Type 096 submarine, which is under development.
The submarines have a length of 135 m (442 ft 11), a beam of 12.5 m (41 ft 0 in), and a displacement of 11,000 tons submerges. They can reach a top speed of 20 knots (surfaced) and 26 knots (submerged).
