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Amber Wang

Alcott Wei

China is aiming to boost its “hunt-and-kill” capabilities with a new submarine that boasts futuristic features, according to Chinese analysts.
A submarine that appeared to lack a traditional fin was being built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, France-based Naval News reported on Wednesday, citing Vantor satellite images dated June 1.
A submarine’s fin is a tower on its topside, usually used for observation and communications. Analysts said a finless design could boost the craft’s stealth, manoeuvrability and speed.
The vessel’s exact configuration remains unclear, as China does not typically announce details of military platforms under construction.
It is the second new type of Chinese submarine identified through satellite images this year, highlighting the rapid expansion of the country’s fleet.
Beijing is “seeking the limits of underwater performance”, according to Yue Gang, a retired People’s Liberation Army colonel and military commentator.
Yue said the craft’s finless design could reduce drag by around a third, making it stealthier.
The finless structure and X-shaped rudder, which was also described by Naval News, would improve the submarine’s ability to manoeuvre, especially in shallow water, compared to the navy’s existing craft, Yue said.
Yue also said the design and the possible integration of sensors into the hull “could pave the way for higher levels of automation or future uncrewed operations”.
The Naval News report said the submarine was around 120 metres (394 feet) long and 10 to 11 metres wide.


That makes it longer but narrower than the submarine under construction at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao, northeast China’s Liaoning province, which was captured in satellite images in February. Some speculated that this vessel was the long-anticipated Type 095 nuclear-powered attack submarine.
However, Naval News noted that either of the two new submarines could be the Type 095.
China has rapidly expanded its production of nuclear-powered submarines, surpassing US launch numbers and tonnage from 2021 to 2025, according to a February report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
While Chinese designs likely still lagged their US and European peers in overall quality, their growing numbers presented an increasing challenge to Western navies as they struggled to expand their own production capacity, the report said.
Yue noted that China was putting a greater emphasis on underwater warfare, adding that its combat philosophy was shifting from surface warfare to underwater stealth.
China was focusing on “high-speed, high-manoeuvrability ‘hunt-and-kill’ operations in the deep sea to suppress enemy submarines and protect its own strategic forces”, Yue said.
Fu Qianshao, a military analyst and former PLA Air Force officer, said the development of uncrewed underwater vehicles “reflects China’s focus on underwater threats”, adding that China faced the risk of foreign submarines operating near its ports and coastal waters.
The pace of construction of new underwater platforms has become increasingly intense around the world in recent years.
The United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore late last month that a new project under Aukus Pillar II would focus on developing advanced payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed underwater vehicles.
The first Aukus pillar, launched in 2021, involves the US and UK helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
In May, South Korea announced it would develop nuclear-powered attack submarines, with plans to launch its first vessel in the mid-2030s.
China unveiled two new uncrewed underwater vehicles during a military parade in September last year.


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Satellite images show the vessel under construction has a ‘finless’ design that could improve its manoeuvrability and speed


Satellite images show the vessel under construction has a ‘finless’ design that could improve its manoeuvrability and speed.


China’s futuristic stealth sub to boost ‘hunt-and-kill’ capabilities: experts

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Satellite images show the vessel under construction has a ‘finless’ design that could improve its manoeuvrability and speed

Satellite images show the vessel under construction has a ‘finless’ design that could improve its manoeuvrability and speed