The Type 093 / 093A / 093B Shang-class is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy family of nuclear-powered attack submarines. Open-source defense reporting describes the family as a domestic PLAN SSN line with successive refinements in noise reduction, speed, and weapons fit, and identifies the Type 093B as a guided-missile variant with a vertical launch system.
Open-source defense references treat the Shang-class as a three-step PLAN nuclear attack submarine family rather than a single boat type. The base Type 093 and the Type 093A represent earlier Shang variants, while the Type 093B adds guided-missile capability and a vertical launch system.
| Variant | Open-source note | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Type 093 | Original Shang-class SSN | Established the domestic PLAN nuclear attack submarine line |
| Type 093A | Upgraded Shang II boat with improved sail and sonar handling changes | Represents the intermediate refinement step |
| Type 093B | Guided-missile Shang III variant with VLS | Extends the family into cruise-missile submarine territory |
