Two upgraded Type 094A Jin-class nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) were presented during the 71st anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), in April 2020. The Type 094 succeeds the Type 092 submarine and the second-generation SSBN of the PLAN. 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. The PRC is interested in augmenting its ICBM forces with SSBNs to enhance its comprehensive nuclear deterrent force.[10] Nuclear deterrent patrols commenced in December 2015.
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. It could be equipped with 16 launch tubes, while Type 094 had only 12 launch tubes. Pictures published in 2015 to Chinese website, the Type 094A has a more prominent “hump” in the missile bay aft of the sail as well as other changes in the contours of the body. The Type 094A has a retractable towed array sonar (TAS) mounted on the top of its upper tailfin, which would make it easier for the craft to “listen” for threats and avoid them. The Type 094A version could be equipped with new ballistic missile Julang-2A (JL-2A) which has a greater range than the JL-2. The new missile could reach virtually the entire United States from Yulin Naval Base in Hainan Island.
