How Many Submarines Does China Have? Type 094, 093B and 039
China’s submarine fleet “now exceeds 60 boats”, a US Navy intelligence officer told Congress in March 2026: six Type 094 ballistic missile submarines, about eight nuclear attack submarines and more than 50 diesel-electric boats. It is one of the largest submarine forces in the world, and its nuclear-powered part is now growing faster than any other. At least three nuclear submarines were launched in 2025 alone.
This guide sets out what each class does, how many China has and why the US Navy is watching them closely.
How many submarines does China have?
Most of China’s submarines are conventionally powered boats designed for the seas close to its coast, where they can lie in wait for enemy ships. Its nuclear boats are fewer but far more important for the future: they can stay submerged for months and travel across oceans, and they carry the sea-based part of China’s nuclear deterrent.
| Class | Type | Number | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 094 / 094A (Jin) | Nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) | 6 | Carries JL-3 nuclear missiles |
| Type 093 / 093A (Shang I/II) | Nuclear attack submarine (SSN) | 6 | Hunting ships and submarines |
| Type 093B (Shang III) | Nuclear guided-missile submarine | At least 2 in service, more building | Vertical launch cells for cruise and anti-ship missiles |
| Type 039A / 039B / 039C (Yuan) | Diesel-electric with air-independent propulsion | About 20-25 | Quiet coastal attack submarine |
| Type 039 (Song) | Diesel-electric | About 12 | Older coastal boats |
| Kilo class | Russian-built diesel-electric | About 10 | Ageing; being retired |
| Type 096 | Next-generation SSBN | In development | Expected to carry larger missiles |
Type 094: the nuclear deterrent at sea
China’s six Type 094 submarines, based on Hainan island in the South China Sea, carry up to 12 ballistic missiles each. Since about 2022 they have been armed with the JL-3, which has a range of more than 9,000 kilometres, enough to reach parts of the continental United States from the waters near China. That has made them a credible part of China’s nuclear triad for the first time, as described in our guide to China’s nuclear weapons. Their weakness is noise: Western navies consider the Type 094 relatively loud, which is why China keeps them in protected waters. Its successor, the Type 096, is expected to be larger and quieter.
Attack submarines: Type 093B and the new generation
China’s nuclear attack force is changing fastest. The Type 093B, first seen around 2022, adds vertical launch tubes for land-attack and anti-ship missiles such as the YJ-18, giving each boat far more firepower than older Chinese submarines. Up to eight may have been launched since 2022. US Navy officials expect China’s nuclear attack force to double by 2027 and say the newest boats are much quieter than their predecessors. China has also built a large new production hall at Bohai Shipyard in Huludao, its only nuclear submarine yard. In 2024 a new nuclear attack submarine sank at its pier at Wuhan during construction, an embarrassment the Chinese government never acknowledged.
Diesel-electric and AIP submarines
The backbone of the force is the Yuan class, or Type 039A/B/C, a diesel-electric submarine with air-independent propulsion that lets it stay submerged for up to two or three weeks at low speed. These boats are quiet and cheap, and in a conflict over Taiwan they would be used to ambush ships in the Strait and the approaches to it. China also exports the design: Pakistan is receiving eight boats of a version known as the Hangor class, and Thailand has ordered one.
How does China compare with the United States?
The United States has about 70 submarines, all nuclear-powered, and its boats are still considered quieter and more capable. American submarines are one of the main reasons US planners believe they could defeat a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which is why China is investing so heavily in anti-submarine warfare as well as in its own boats. The American fleet is described in our guide to US submarines, and Britain’s in our guide to British submarines.
Frequently asked questions
How many submarines does China have?
More than 60, according to US Navy intelligence in March 2026, including six ballistic missile submarines, about eight nuclear attack submarines and more than 50 diesel-electric boats.
How many nuclear submarines does China have?
About 14: six Type 094 ballistic missile submarines and about eight Type 093-family attack submarines, with more under construction.
What is China’s most advanced submarine?
The Type 093B nuclear attack submarine, which has vertical launch tubes for cruise and anti-ship missiles. The Type 096 ballistic missile submarine is in development.
Can Chinese submarines launch nuclear missiles?
Yes. The Type 094 carries JL-3 missiles with a range of more than 9,000 kilometres.
Does China have more submarines than the US?
China has slightly fewer, about 60 against about 70, but most Chinese boats are diesel-electric while all US submarines are nuclear-powered.
How many submarines will China have by 2035?
US analysts project up to 80, about half of them nuclear-powered.
- US Naval Institute Proceedings – Going nuclear, getting bigger and going beyond (May 2026): usni.org
- US Department of Defense – Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2025: media.defense.gov
- USNI News – Chinese Navy expanding nuclear attack boat fleet, ONI commander says: news.usni.org
- Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists – Chinese nuclear forces, 2026 (July 2026): thebulletin.org
