In a major leap for China’s military prowess, Beijing has unveiled a new type of submarine equipped with vertical launch systems (VLS) for cruise missiles. This game-changing development places China alongside the United States and Russia in the elite club of nations capable of launching powerful, long-range cruise missiles from beneath the ocean’s surface. The introduction of this advanced submarine has sent shockwaves through the global military community, marking a significant boost to China’s naval capabilities and further shifting the balance of power in the Pacific.
Until now, only the US and Russia have possessed the ability to vertically launch cruise missiles from submarines. This capability allows submarines to discreetly strike targets deep inland with precision-guided missiles, remaining far from detection. China’s entrance into this highly exclusive field represents a major escalation in the ongoing global arms race, especially in the context of Beijing’s increasing military assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Pacific.
According to reports, this new submarine type is armed with the Chinese-developed CJ-10 long-range cruise missile, a weapon comparable to the US Navy’s Tomahawk. With a range of up to 1,500 kilometers, the CJ-10 can hit critical military targets, including bases and command centers, with devastating precision. This technology gives China a stealthy, first-strike capability, allowing it to project power over vast distances without exposing its surface ships to potential counterattacks.
Military analysts have dubbed this development a “game-changer” for China’s navy. Richard Fisher, a senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, warns, “China’s ability to covertly launch cruise missile strikes from its submarines greatly enhances its strategic reach. The US and its allies in the region must now recalibrate their defense strategies in response to this growing threat.”
The vertical launch system (VLS) aboard these new Chinese submarines allows them to carry a significant number of missiles, adding considerable firepower to the fleet. This is a notable departure from China’s older submarines, which were primarily focused on anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare. The new VLS-equipped submarines can now carry out land-attack missions, drastically expanding their operational scope and giving Beijing a much larger strategic footprint.
Experts say this marks a critical milestone in China’s ongoing naval modernization. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been rapidly expanding, both in size and capability, with Beijing pouring resources into building a blue-water navy capable of global power projection. This new submarine type, equipped with state-of-the-art missile systems, signals that China is no longer content with regional dominance — it is aiming for global influence.
However, the timing of this unveiling has raised concerns, especially in light of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. The US and its allies, including Japan and Australia, have been increasingly alarmed by China’s aggressive posturing in the South China Sea, where Beijing continues to build military installations on artificial islands. The introduction of a stealthy submarine with the ability to strike far from China’s shores only intensifies these concerns.
The Pentagon has already responded with cautious rhetoric. “We are closely monitoring China’s military developments,” said a senior US defense official. “While we remain committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, we will take all necessary steps to ensure the defense of our interests and those of our allies.”
China, for its part, claims that its naval build-up is purely defensive in nature. Chinese military officials have argued that their growing submarine fleet is necessary to protect their economic interests and secure vital shipping lanes. However, this latest development has left many countries in the region questioning Beijing’s true intentions.
As China continues to modernize its naval fleet at an unprecedented pace, its latest vertical-launch submarine signifies a bold step forward in global military competition. While Beijing asserts that its actions are aimed at maintaining security, its new capabilities are reshaping the strategic landscape — and not just in the Pacific. With the world’s superpowers now bracing for a new era of undersea warfare, the stakes have never been higher.
With the introduction of this dangerous new weapon system, it’s clear that China is positioning itself as a formidable global military power, ready to challenge the existing order — and the world is watching closely.
