China’s SSNs receive less attention in most defense commentary due to a combination of high PLA secrecy and the lack of images – which is to be expected, given their role. This article will examine recent SSN developments for the PLAN, in context of established defense media commentary and observable images, and cautiously project future possibilities based on indicators from the PLA watching grapevine.
Chinese nuclear submarine production occurs at Bohai shipyard, in Huludao. In 2019, I published an article suggesting that a newly constructed series of complexes at Bohai was likely intended for future, sustained production of nuclear submarines.
