Jin-class submarine
The Type 094 (; Chinese designation: 09-IV; NATO reporting name: Jin class) is a class of ballistic missile submarine 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. Background. The Type 094 was first spotted in 2006 on commercial satellite imagery of the Xiaopingdao Submarine Base. It was noted as being longer than the Type 092. Two Type 094s were spotted at the Bohai Shipyard in May 2007, although it was not clear if these included  the one spotted in 2006. One was operational in 2010, three in 2013, four in 2015, and possibly six in 2020. The PRC is interested in augmenting its ICBM forces with SSBNs to enhance its comprehensive nuclear deterrent force. Nuclear deterrent patrols commenced in December 2015. Description. The Type 094's design is likely based on the Type 093 nuclear attack submarine. It is armed with 12 JL-2 SLBMs, each with an estimated range of . Each missile carries one warhead. The Type 094 and JL-2 is China's first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent. Globalsecurity.org notes that a Type 094  patrolling just northeast of the Kuril Islands would be able to strike three-quarters of the contiguous United States; whereas launching from Chinese coastal waters would barely reach the Aleutian Islands. Thomas-Noone and Medcalf note that the Type 094's noisiness would make it difficult for it to reach and maintain patrol areas where it could strike at the contiguous United States; no such limitations would exist against Indian targets. In 2009, the Office of Naval Intelligence of the United States Navy listed the Type 094 as being slightly noisier than Project 667BDR (NATO reporting name: Delta III) from  the late-1970s, some of which were in service through 2015 with the Russian Navy. Type 094A. The Type 094A is a variant with a modified and improved sail. The sail appears to incorporate features from one installed on a modified Type 093.