The previous instalment explored Chinese naval developments for combatant programs in 2024. This second part provides a Naval News outline for the PLAN submarine- and auxiliary forces. Additionally this report delves into developmental programs. Notably, several of these programs do not have obvious ties to the Chinese Navy.
PLAN Submarine Force In 2024
Two notable events concern the PLAN submarine force in 2024. Naval News reported on the emergence of imagery of the newest nuclear powered attack submarine type, the Type 09IIIB, undergoing sea trials around October. Bohai Shipyard is the principal developer and builder for all nuclear powered submarines in China. At least four and more likely six new SSN launched so far at Bohai as of early 2025. Estimates consider statements in the newest American report on military and security developments regarding the PRC (usually dubbed China Military Power Report), and observable activity at Bohai’s construction facilities.
Furthermore the China Military Power Report again claimed ongoing construction of further Type 09IV ballistic missile submarines. Additional Type 09IV SSBN may be a means to swiftly increase Chinese secure second strike capabilities, before the next gen-Type 09VI is joining the fleet.
PLAN is also in the process of expanding submarine berthing at primary bases in Qingdao and on Hainan to accommodate the expanded fleet.
Mystery submarine in Wuhan
The most curious episode in 2024 involved the launch of a new submarine type at builder Wuchang in Wuhan. Wuchang historically is the principal builder of conventionally powered submarines (SSK) for PLAN and export customers, such as Pakistan. Together with Jiangnan in Shanghai Wuchang has produced the bulk of PLAN SSK, including Type 039, followed by the separate Type 039A/B/C-design family.
The new boat, later called “Type 041” and “Zhou-class” by media reports quoting unnamed American officials, first appeared in satellite imagery from late April 2024. The design is visually distinct from earlier Type 039C-hulls. Notably the submarine displayed an x-tail rudder arrangement, a Chinese first.
Riddles over incident and Chinese interest in small nuclear submarines
The new design caused a minor storm in debates among enthusiasts, when Tom Shugart, an American defence analyst and former submariner, in late July suggested the boat may have been involved in an incident causing a recovery effort at Wuchang. Media reporting in September claimed the submarine had sunk at berth. Articles appearing in the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere cited unnamed US officials and undisclosed intelligence to support these claims.
The suggested incident carried additional charge over American claims that the Type 041 included some form of nuclear propulsion. Imagery of concepts and documentation confirming PLAN-interest in compact nuclear submarines dates back to at least 2017, based on an undated lecture by retired Chinese Rear Admiral Zhao Dengping. The event included slides referring to auxiliary nuclear propulsion on conventional submarines and a new type of SSN.
As of early 2025 no additional information outlining the capabilities of this new design, nor the alleged incident in Wuhan has appeared. The China Military Power Report published in December makes no mention of the new submarine nor its claimed sinking.
PLAN Auxiliary Fleet
While less spectacular than naval developments for the Chinese submarine fleet, the auxiliary fleet saw three major events in 2024. The first and most important is ongoing construction of new submarine salvage ships of two varieties. GSI Longxue so far has produced three hulls of the new Type 927 submarine support ship (ASR). The US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) uses the designation Dakai-class.
Additional submarine support ships for PLAN
The Type 927 must not be confused with the AGOS-type surveillance vessels also referred to by this designation. The latter vessels may in fact be the Type 816, though this is to be confirmed. Type 927 is a large and modern ASR capable of salvaging operations via embarking a deep sea submersible (DSRV). Two hulls with numbers 830 and 841, and possibly a third, are in active service with PLAN. Additionally a smaller and less capable design with unknown designation, referred to by ONI as Dafeng-class, is also in production.
Expansion of these resources tracks the modernisation and increase in PLAN submarines, notably the nuclear powered fleet. The Type 927 in particular should ensure long range salvage capabilities supporting a fledgling SSN-fleet.
Renewed construction of replenishment oilers and hospital ships
New construction of fleet replenishment ships for PLAN represents a further notable event for Chinese naval developments in 2024. Two new Type 903A or further improved versions of this type are under construction at GSI in Guangzhou and Wuhu Shipyard, in Wuhu, Anhui Province. The Type 903A is the workhorse AOR supporting PLAN combatants both in long distance deployments and the Chinese near abroad, such as extended operations in the ECS, SCS and Philippine Sea.
Finally, GSI in Guangzhou in late 2024 also launched a third Type 920 hospital ship. Two units are in active service with PLAN as 866 Peace Ark and 867 Silk Road Ark. Adding further vessels implies a broadening of outreach efforts by PLAN particularly across the Pacific, where Peace Ark has made repeated visits with a range of nations.
Experimental and industry efforts
The new experimental corvette previously covered by Naval News had gone to sea for the first time in May 2024 at Liaonan. The ship appears to be a PLAN-sponsored effort testing new subsystems in a compact and stealthy hull. Whether the new design is purely a testing platform or will result in adoption of a new fleet of such ships remains to be confirmed.
Drone-carrying catamaran in Jiangsu
Additionally the Chinese naval shipbuilding industry in 2024 repeatedly gained attention with unconventional design efforts not directly tied to any PLAN requirement or official support. The first of these appeared in reporting, including first here on Naval News, in May 2024. The design appears to be a strictly littoral platform for operating VTOL drones. The relatively obscure shipyard responsible is based in Jiangsu and had previously produced two catamaran hulls also used as apparently civilian VTOL drone-platforms.
JARI-USV-A Large Combat USV
Two further efforts by industry appeared in late October at GSI in Guangzhou. The first design, dubbed the Jari-USV-A or Orca, represents a dramatic evolution of the original and far smaller Jari USV. The original Jari appeared first in 2019, and remained at an experimental stage, apparently under the purview of CSSC. The new, corvette-sized Jari-USV-A is an optionally crewed vessel fitted with a VLS, retractable main gun, AESA radar panels and organic VTOL drone carried on a small helipad at the stern.
CSSC heavily promoted the new USV at last years Zhuhai defence exhibition, to which the crewed vessel sailed under its own power from Guangzhou. Whether PLAN or a notional export customer has any interest in this concept is yet to be revealed.
Another drone carrier in Guangzhou
The second design also emerging at GSI is a large-sized new vessel visually resembling an aircraft carrier, although that designation is misleading. The new ship also spotted first in October had rapidly taken shape in Guangzhou over the last year. Both the speedy pace of construction and several aspects of its superstructure and layout suggest an effectively civilian design. The purpose appears to be experimental operation of VTOL drones, although the vessel is notionally capable to embark helicopters.
The latest image of the new design suggests the ship will be homeported in Tianjin. Similar to the Jari-USV-A there is presently no indication that PLAN is associated with the effort.
Naval News‘ conclusion
In summary, Chinese naval developments in 2024 included multiple important milestones for PLAN. While by some metrics production for PLAN may have slowed, this impression is only superficial, detracting from notable developments.
The Chinese Navy continues to experience significant capability growth. Production of nuclear powered submarines appears to maintain a delivery rate of two boats per year. The auxiliary force is receiving important new platforms supporting these new combatants, underscoring an ambitious operational posture by PLAN especially in its near abroad.
The Chinese Coast Guard further emerges as a well-resourced paramilitary entity enforcing PRC interests. This is most notable around Taiwan and the SCS. Additional numbers of blue water-capable CCG designs will likely compound this trend.
Finally, the Chinese shipbuilding industry seems increasingly positioned to pursue projects even when interest by PLAN and export customers is not immediately apparent. Such efforts may suggest dynamic research and development, aggressively exploring latest trends, notably in sea- and airborne drone operations.
