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In a significant demonstration of its submarine warfare capabilities, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in the Pacific Ocean.
According to official sources, the SSBN, which was not identified by name, successfully launched the ICBM into the Pacific Ocean on July 6 at 12:01 p.m. local time. The launch marked the culmination of a series of tests conducted by the PLA Navy to validate the performance of its SSBNs and their ability to launch nuclear missiles from submerged positions.
Details of the launch remain scarce, but defense analysts speculate that the test was aimed at showcasing China’s capabilities to deter adversary threats, particularly from the United States. The test comes as tensions between China and the United States continue to escalate over issues such as trade, security, and territorial claims.
“This successful test demonstrates China’s commitment to modernizing its nuclear deterrent capabilities, including its SSBN fleet,” said Mark Stokes, Executive Director of the Project 2049 Institute, a leading think tank on China’s military modernization. “It’s a clear message that China is working to ensure the survivability and effectiveness of its nuclear-armed submarines.”
China has been rapidly expanding its SSBN fleet in recent years, with estimates suggesting that the country now operates around 12 to 15 SSBNs, capable of launching nuclear missiles. The PLA Navy has also been investing heavily in new ballistic missile submarines, with some reports suggesting that a new SSBN design, known as the Jin-class, is nearing operational deployment.
The test launch also highlights concerns over the proliferation of nuclear-capable submarines in the Asia-Pacific region. While China has traditionally maintained a nuclear arsenal aimed at regional adversaries, such as India, its nuclear capabilities are increasingly seen as a global force multiplier capable of influencing international security dynamics.
In response to the launch, a US defense official downplayed the significance of the test, stating that China’s nuclear capabilities are designed to deter adversaries in the Asia-Pacific region and not to pose a direct threat to the United States.
However, experts warn that China’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines pose a credible threat to regional stability, particularly in light of the country’s expanding military presence in the South China Sea.
While China has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding the scope and purpose of its nuclear arsenal, the SSBN launch serves as a reminder of the country’s growing nuclear capabilities and its increasing role in shaping global security dynamics.