China’s Nuclear Subs Are Ready to Terrorize the Sea

DOWN BELOW

Beijing will soon be able to launch nuclear missiles from the sea. And that’s going to make it harder to deter any future Chinese aggression.

Published May 19 2016 1:00AM EDT

articles/2016/05/19/china-s-nuclear-subs-are-ready-to-terrorize-the-sea/160518-axe-china-submarine-tease_rc7wz7 — Courtesy PLAN

China’s about to join an exclusive club for nuclear powers. After decades of development, 2016 could be the year the Chinese navy finally sends its ballistic-missile submarines—“SSBN” is the Pentagon’s designation—to sea for the first time for operational patrols with live, nuclear-tipped rockets.

If indeed the Jin-class subs head to sea...

David Axe

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China’s Nuclear Subs Are Ready to Terrorize the Sea

Beijing will soon be able to launch nuclear missiles from the sea. And that’s going to make it harder to deter any future Chinese aggression.

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David Axe