Naval Systems

Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine

Also known as
  • Type 094 submarine
  • Jin-class submarine
  • Jin class submarine
  • Type 09IV submarine
  • Type 094 SSBN
  • Type 094A submarine
  • 09-IV submarine
  • JIN class SSBN

The Type 094 / Jin-class is the People's Liberation Army Navy's operational nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine class and China's first credible sea-based nuclear-deterrent platform. U.S. defense reporting describes six operational Jin-class boats carrying up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, while open-source references place construction at Bohai Shipyard in Huludao.

Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine class, Naval Systems
Image source: Jin (Type 094) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine.JPG
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
China
Type
Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine class
Service note
2000s-present
Produced
1999-present
Number built
Six operational boats reported by U.S. Department of Defense and NTI sources

Specifications

Length
About 135 m
Beam
About 12.5 m
Speed
Over 20 knots submerged
Armament
Up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 SLBMs per boat in U.S. Department of Defense reporting
Propulsion
Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
Role
Sea-based strategic deterrent
Operational force
Six operational Jin-class Type 094 SSBNs reported in 2024 U.S. defense reporting
Variants

Open sources distinguish the baseline Type 094 from later improved boats often called Type 094A, but the later designation is treated cautiously because U.S. reporting groups the operational force under the Jin-class / Type 094 label.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Type 094Baseline Jin-class SSBN

GlobalSecurity's boat list and U.S. defense reporting identify the class as the Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic-missile submarine.

Sources: Type 094 Jin-class Ballistic Missile Submarine, DoD China Military Power Report 2024

Type 094AImproved Jin-class reporting name

Open-source coverage uses Type 094A for improved Jin-class boats, while the U.S. Department of Defense still reports the operational SSBN force as Jin-class Type 094 submarines.

Sources: DoD China Military Power Report 2024, China Submarine Capabilities

Carried Ballistic Missiles

Type 094 / Jin-class submarines are documented as missile carriers rather than conflict-use entries; the available sources describe strategic deterrent patrols and missile loadout.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile, Submarine-launched ballistic missile, MunitionsJL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missileSubmarine-launched ballistic missile

CSIS documents JL-2 basing on Jin-class SSBNs, and the 2024 U.S. Department of Defense report says each operational Jin-class boat can carry up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 SLBMs.

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

Deterrent Role And Sourcing Limits

The Type 094 / Jin-class entry is kept as relationship-only because the public sources checked describe strategic patrols, fleet inventory, builder context, and missile carriage rather than use in a named armed conflict. Its catalog value is the platform relationship: it links China's operational SSBN force to the JL-2 and JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile family.

Reported force

Six operational Jin-class Type 094 SSBNs are reported by U.S. Department of Defense and NTI sources.

Missile load

Up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 SLBMs per boat are reported in the 2024 U.S. defense assessment.

Catalog treatment

No conflict rows are added without a source tying this submarine class to direct use in a specific conflict.

Timeline

Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine Key Events

  1. First boat laid down

    GlobalSecurity's boat list shows the first Type 094 boat laid down in 1999 at Bohai Shipyard in Huludao.

    Sources: Type 094 Jin-class Ballistic Missile Submarine

  2. First commissioned

    GlobalSecurity's Type 094 boat list shows the lead boat commissioned in 2007.

    Sources: Type 094 Jin-class Ballistic Missile Submarine

  3. Six operational boats reported

    NTI reported six operational Jin-class ballistic missile submarines and described them as China's current SSBN force.

    Sources: China Submarine Capabilities

  4. DoD reports at-sea deterrent patrols

    The U.S. Department of Defense reported six operational Jin-class Type 094 SSBNs conducting at-sea deterrent patrols and carrying up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 SLBMs per boat.

    Sources: DoD China Military Power Report 2024

Media

Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine Videos

Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine Images

Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine class, Naval Systems - view 1
Source: Type 094 SSBN.JPG
Type 094 / Jin-class ballistic missile submarine, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine class, Naval Systems - view 2
Source: Jin class SSBN.svg
Related Weapon Systems
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Sources

China Submarine CapabilitiesPublisher: Nuclear Threat Initiative | Note: Supports the Jin-class identity, six-boat operational status, 135-meter length, 12.5-meter beam, submerged speed above 20 knots, and 12 JL-2 SLBM armament context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04DoD China Military Power Report 2024Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports the reported six operational Jin-class Type 094 SSBNs, at-sea deterrent patrol context, up to 12 JL-2 or JL-3 SLBMs per boat, and first credible sea-based nuclear-deterrent characterization. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Type 094 Jin-class Ballistic Missile SubmarinePublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports Bohai Shipyard as the builder context, the 1999 and 2007 boat-list milestones, and the Type 094 / Jin-class boat list shown for the class. | Accessed: 2026-07-04JL-2 | Missile Threat - CSISPublisher: CSIS Missile Defense Project | Note: Supports Type 094 / Jin-class submarine carriage context for the JL-2 ballistic missile and JL-2 specifications used for the carried-missile relationship. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Type 094 Class (Jin Class) Chinese Nuclear-Powered Ballistic ...Publisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports the broader Type 094 / Jin-class program background and boat-level context for the class. | Accessed: 2026-07-04National parade showcases nuclear-capable submarine-launched ...Publisher: Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China | Note: Supports official Chinese defense context for the Type 094 submarine's role in China's sea-based nuclear deterrent. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Jin (Type 094) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Type 094 SSBN.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the secondary gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Jin class SSBN.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the diagram gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04