Munitions

JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile

Also known as
  • Ju Lang-2
  • Julang-2
  • CSS-N-14
  • CSS-NX-14
  • JL-2 SLBM

The JL-2 is a Chinese submarine-launched ballistic missile carried by Type 094 / Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Open-source defense references describe it as an operational three-stage solid-propellant SLBM that gave China its first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent, with public range estimates varying between about 3,900 nautical miles and 8,000-9,000 kilometers.

JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile, Submarine-launched ballistic missile, Munitions
Image source: Julang-2 SLBM test launch.jpg
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
China
Type
Submarine-launched ballistic missile
Service note
2010s-present
Produced
Operational by 2015 in CSIS reporting
Number built
Not publicly confirmed; launcher counts are tied to Jin-class SSBN inventories

Specifications

Class
Submarine-launched ballistic missile
Launch platform
Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine
Range
About 3,900 nautical miles in 2024 U.S. Department of Defense reporting; 8,000-9,000 km in CSIS reporting
Length
About 13 m
Diameter
About 2 m
Launch weight
About 42,000 kg
Payload
About 1,050-2,800 kg in CSIS reporting; nuclear warhead payload publicly estimated but not officially confirmed
Propulsion
Three-stage solid propellant
Status
Operational
Reported missile load
Up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 SLBMs per Jin-class boat in 2024 U.S. Department of Defense reporting
Carrier Submarines

Open-source missile and defense assessments identify the Type 094 / Jin-class SSBN as the JL-2's submarine basing platform.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine class, Naval SystemsType 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarineNuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine

CSIS lists the Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine as the JL-2 basing platform, and the 2024 U.S. Department of Defense report says operational Jin-class SSBNs can carry up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 SLBMs.

Sources: JL-2 | Missile Threat - CSIS, DoD China Military Power Report 2024

Sea-Based Deterrent Context

The JL-2 entry is kept relationship-only because the public sources checked describe strategic deterrent patrols, missile carriage, tests, and parade display rather than use in a named armed conflict. Its catalog value is the sourced relationship between China's Type 094 / Jin-class SSBN force and the missile that preceded the longer-range JL-3 in open-source reporting.

Carrier force

U.S. defense reporting describes six operational Jin-class Type 094 SSBNs conducting deterrent patrols.

Missile load

Each Jin-class boat is reported as able to carry up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Successor context

Arms Control Association and FAS reporting describe the JL-3 as a longer-range successor appearing in public assessments after the JL-2 entered service.

Timeline

JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile Key Events

  1. Development-era flight testing reported

    CSIS describes JL-2 flight testing beginning in 2001 during development of China's sea-based strategic missile force.

    Sources: JL-2 | Missile Threat - CSIS

  2. Operational status reported

    CSIS reports that the JL-2 became operational in 2015 on Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarines.

    Sources: JL-2 | Missile Threat - CSIS

  3. Public parade display

    CGTN video coverage identified the parade system as China's submarine-launched missile shown during the National Day military parade.

    Sources: CGTN JL-2 parade video

  4. DoD reports Jin-class patrol context

    The 2024 U.S. Department of Defense China report said six operational Jin-class Type 094 SSBNs were conducting at-sea deterrent patrols and could carry up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 missiles per boat.

    Sources: DoD China Military Power Report 2024

Media

JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile Videos

JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile Images

JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile, Submarine-launched ballistic missile, Munitions - view 1
Source: SLBM Comparison.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
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Sources

JL-2 | Missile Threat - CSISPublisher: CSIS Missile Defense Project | Note: Supports JL-2 identity, aliases, origin, submarine-launched ballistic missile class, Jin-class basing, in-service status, and basic specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-04DoD China Military Power Report 2024Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports CSS-N-14 as JL-2, Type 094/Jin-class carriage, six operational Jin-class SSBNs, up to 12 missiles per boat, and range in nautical miles. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CASC official home pagePublisher: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | Note: Supports CASC as China's official intercontinental strategic nuclear missile manufacturer; the JL-2 record uses CASC as the public manufacturer facet because the more specific ARMT contractor label does not yet have a sourced catalog builder profile. | Accessed: 2026-07-04JL-2 (CSS-NX-14) - China Nuclear ForcesPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports JL-2 development background, Type 094 deployment context, solid propulsion, public range estimates, and the more specific Academy of Rocket Motors Technology contractor attribution caveat. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CGTN JL-2 parade videoPublisher: CGTN | Note: Supports video coverage identifying China's parade-displayed submarine-launched missile as part of the JL-2 sea-based strategic missile context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04China to Deploy Longer-Range SLBM on Nuclear SubmarinesPublisher: Arms Control Association | Note: Supports the open-source transition context from JL-2-equipped submarines toward longer-range JL-3 missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Chinese Nuclear Forces 2024Publisher: Federation of American Scientists | Note: Supports public reporting on China's nuclear-force expansion and the JL-3 transition in sea-based deterrent assessments. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Julang-2 SLBM test launch.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing context for the primary JL-2 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04SLBM Comparison.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the secondary SLBM comparison gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04