Satellite Images Exhibits A Glimpse Of Chinese 095 Nuclear Submarine.

Beijing; February 2026: China has launched its first next-generation Type 095 nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), according to satellite imagery analysed by defence experts. It marks a significant leap as Beijing ramps up the underwater arms race to challenge US naval dominance in technology and production.

Images captured between February 09th and 12th showed the vessel being fitted out at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao, Liaoning province, according to official sources.

Defence analysts said the pictures revealed a new design with advanced acoustic stealth and strike capacity. The most prominent visual feature of the new submarine – NATO code name Sui-class which is its X-tail rudder configuration. It is the first Chinese nuclear submarine to feature this design, which improves manoeuvrability. It also appears to be equipped with a pump-jet propulsor, which is critical for reducing noise signatures. This has already been used on the Type 093B, the latest variant of the Chinese navy’s existing Shang-class submarines.

There are no external control surfaces visible in the images, which could indicate Chinese SSNs are switching from their traditional fairwater planes to hull-mounted dive planes for lower friction and noise during high‑speed transit.

The new submarine is estimated to be similar in length to the Type 093 at about 110 metres (361 feet), but with a wider beam of around 12 to 13 metres compared with the Type 093’s 10 metre beam.

This suggests a significant increase in the Type 095’s displacement to over 9,000 tons, compared with the Type 093’s 7,000 tons.

Analysts said these dimensions suggested a shift to a single-hull design, optimised for greater internal volume, lighter weight and acoustic isolation. All the advancements suggest the Type 095 is designed to be comparable in capabilities to American and Russian third-generation SSNs such as the US Navy’s Virginia-class submarines. It aims to transform the Chinese submarine fleet from a notoriously noisy force into one approaching Western standards.

In terms of armaments, the images show that a section behind the sail remains under construction and will probably house a vertical launching system (VLS) for missiles. The Type 093B’s VLS is capable of launching anti-ship and land-attack missiles, such as the YJ-18 series. As for the next-generation Type 095, it is speculated that it will be able to carry China’s newly revealed hypersonic missiles, including the YJ-19.

The Type 095 represents a large leap in technology, narrowing the gap with the United States in undersea warfare capabilities. The Chinese navy has been rapidly expanding its SSN fleet amid an intensifying underwater arms race in the region.

China’s first Type 093 SSN entered service in 2006, as Beijing began to replace the obsolete Type 091.

In the following years, new variants Type 093A and Type 093B were introduced with significant upgrades. To date, 08 of the Type 093 family are in service, with at least 09 more in the pipeline. The Type 093B’s VLS is capable of launching anti-ship and land-attack missiles, such as the YJ-18 series.

As for the next-generation Type 095, it is speculated that it will be able to carry China’s newly revealed hypersonic missiles, including the YJ-19.

Team Maverick.