Name Xia-class Built 1981 | Succeeded by Type 094 (Jin-class) In commission 1987 | |
Builders Bohai Shipyard, Huludao Operators People's Liberation Army Navy | ||
The Type 092 (Chinese designation: 09-II; NATO reporting name: Xia-class) submarine was the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deployed by the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force, and the first SSBN designed and built in Asia.
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Background
The first and only confirmed submarine of its class, boat 406, was laid down in 1978 at Huludao, 120 miles north-east of Beijing; she was completed in 1981. She then spent 6 years being fitted out and conducting tests with its 12 JL-1 missiles, becoming active in 1987. Later, the submarine went through numerous upgrades in incremental step, including using Type H/SQ2-262B sonar manufactured by No. 613 Factory replacing the original Type 604 sonar on board. It reportedly suffered from limited missile range and high sound emissions.
She was designed by Peng Shilu (
The 092 has undergone numerous refits, currently featuring a new black paint, possible quieting technologies, French-designed sonar, and the improved longer ranged JL-1A SLBM. Homeported in Jianggezhuang near Qingdao, it is reported that the 092 has never conducted strategic patrols outside Chinese regional waters.
The 092 is aging however and a new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the Type 094, has been developed and deployed by the People's Liberation Army Navy. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency lists the 092 as being "not operational." While its capability is still being questioned, Xia made its worldwide debut on 23 April 2009 celebrating the 60th anniversary of THE PLA Navy's founding.
Rumour of a lost second boat
A second boat is thought to have been completed in 1982, however this is debatable. There is little information regarding the history of this ship if in fact it actually existed. It is suggested, though not confirmed, that this second Type 092 was lost in an accident in 1985.