On October 12, an image went viral on social media showing the closest photograph to date of one of the Type 093B submarine, spotted in South China sea. However, it cannot be determined if this is a recent picture. Interestingly this pic has appeared a few days after the news of Chinese nuclear submarine sinking in Wuhan hit the headlines.

This is only the second ground-based photo of the new generation SSN, with previous imagery being exclusively satellite-sourced. Simultaneously, some rendered images of Type 093B have also appeared on myriad social media platforms.

The recent pic shows a new variant of the Type 093 nuclear-powered attack submarines (referred to as the Shang class). It has completed a new sea trial during which these photographs were taken, or so claim the social media posts on weibo and X.

Type 093 ( Shang Class ) is a class of nuclear-powered attack submarines deployed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s submarine force. Construction began in December 1998.

Currently, according to the latest reports from the United States Department of State, which assess the current and future military capabilities of China, the PLA Navy has a total of six Type 093 submarines, including the Shang I (Type 093), Shang II (Type 093A), and the more modern Shang III (Type 093B), about which few details have emerged regarding its capabilities. The report also mentions that by the middle of this decade, the Bohai shipyards will be able to complete the construction of a seventh unit of the Type 093B, which will feature enhanced capabilities for land attack.

Many details are not visible in the pic that appeared on 12th oct, albeit defence experts say a clean hull design can be observed, reflecting the refinement this class of submarines have achieved since the introduction of the first unit, Shang I, whose construction began in the late 1990s and was commissioned in 2006.
Notable technical details of the configuration include vertical launch tubes. Earlier reports suggest that this submarine has 18 cells in three rows of six launchers, and a pump-jet propulsor or ducted propeller.

Chinese Navy had been mocked across the world after news of sinking of its nuclear submarine emerged few days ago. This picture of Type 093 submarines,is probably PLA Navy’s attempt at diverting the attention from one nuclear submarine to another.