fatman17
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Imagery confirms underground nuclear sub base in China
Richard D Fisher Jr Analyst - Virginia
Key Points
Exclusive access to Digital Globe satellite imagery has allowed Jane's to document China's nuclear naval build-up on Hainan Island
The Sanya base may be used to house the new Type 094 nuclear submarine
High-resolution satellite imagery from Digital Globe has enabled Jane's to confirm the construction of a major underground nuclear submarine base at Sanya, on Hainan Island off the southern coast of China.
Although Asian military sources first suggested the existence of the base to Jane's in 2002, the satellite imagery has allowed independent verification for the first time.
The extent of construction indicates that Sanya could become a key base for People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carriers and other power-projection ships. In December 2007, perhaps in concert with a major People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) exercise the previous month, the PLA moved its first Type 094 second-generation nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to Sanya.
Satellite imagery in 2005 showed new construction in the Sanya area of Hainan, confirming information from Jane's sources but revealing few useful details. However, the most recent Digital Globe imagery of the Sanya area shows that it is well on its way to becoming a major naval base.
Since 2005 the PLA has constructed two sets of piers that could accommodate two or more aircraft carrier battlegroups. In addition the PLA has nearly completed a long concrete pier on the coast that could support the loading of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) onto SSBNs, repair operations on large ships or the embarkation of heavy equipment or troops onto aircraft carriers or amphibious transport ships. Also of significance is the expansion and ornate nature of the headquarters, barracks and military support facilities.
Sanya contains an apparently incomplete cave entrance similar to that of the underground submarine pen known to exist at Jianggezhuang - the submarine base of the North Sea Fleet. The Sanya entrance is more than 23 m in width, which could easily accommodate all PLA submarines and some support ships.
On the eastern side of this peninsula, there are 11 additional access points to underground locations. These could have served to help excavate the new submarine facility, or they could also serve as storage areas for nuclear missiles or other weapons and equipment that need to be kept away from the vessels.
Beyond the strategic implications of securing the South China Sea, Sanya has topographical benefits. While nuclear ballistic missile submarine construction takes place near the North Sea Fleet base of Huludao, the nearby Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf are too shallow, with depths of approximately 150 ft, creating unacceptable vulnerabilities for SSBN operations. South of Hainan Island, PLAN SSBNs would soon find depths exceeding 5,000 m, which could support submarine patrols.
Richard D. Fisher, Jr is a senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center in Alexandria, Virginia.
Richard D Fisher Jr Analyst - Virginia
Key Points
Exclusive access to Digital Globe satellite imagery has allowed Jane's to document China's nuclear naval build-up on Hainan Island
The Sanya base may be used to house the new Type 094 nuclear submarine
High-resolution satellite imagery from Digital Globe has enabled Jane's to confirm the construction of a major underground nuclear submarine base at Sanya, on Hainan Island off the southern coast of China.
Although Asian military sources first suggested the existence of the base to Jane's in 2002, the satellite imagery has allowed independent verification for the first time.
The extent of construction indicates that Sanya could become a key base for People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carriers and other power-projection ships. In December 2007, perhaps in concert with a major People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) exercise the previous month, the PLA moved its first Type 094 second-generation nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to Sanya.
Satellite imagery in 2005 showed new construction in the Sanya area of Hainan, confirming information from Jane's sources but revealing few useful details. However, the most recent Digital Globe imagery of the Sanya area shows that it is well on its way to becoming a major naval base.
Since 2005 the PLA has constructed two sets of piers that could accommodate two or more aircraft carrier battlegroups. In addition the PLA has nearly completed a long concrete pier on the coast that could support the loading of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) onto SSBNs, repair operations on large ships or the embarkation of heavy equipment or troops onto aircraft carriers or amphibious transport ships. Also of significance is the expansion and ornate nature of the headquarters, barracks and military support facilities.
Sanya contains an apparently incomplete cave entrance similar to that of the underground submarine pen known to exist at Jianggezhuang - the submarine base of the North Sea Fleet. The Sanya entrance is more than 23 m in width, which could easily accommodate all PLA submarines and some support ships.
On the eastern side of this peninsula, there are 11 additional access points to underground locations. These could have served to help excavate the new submarine facility, or they could also serve as storage areas for nuclear missiles or other weapons and equipment that need to be kept away from the vessels.
Beyond the strategic implications of securing the South China Sea, Sanya has topographical benefits. While nuclear ballistic missile submarine construction takes place near the North Sea Fleet base of Huludao, the nearby Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf are too shallow, with depths of approximately 150 ft, creating unacceptable vulnerabilities for SSBN operations. South of Hainan Island, PLAN SSBNs would soon find depths exceeding 5,000 m, which could support submarine patrols.
Richard D. Fisher, Jr is a senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center in Alexandria, Virginia.
