The United States and China are developing their submarine forces from completely different starting positions.

The U.S. Navy has the world’s most experienced nuclear submarine fleet, backed by decades of combat patrols, an advanced shipbuilding tradition, and highly qualified crews.

China, by contrast, is still seeking to close the gap that has built up over many years in such areas as stealth, power plants, sonar systems, and practical experience in undersea warfare, Naked Science reports.

At the same time, when making comparisons, it is necessary to take into account an important difference between submarine types. Strategic missile submarines are intended primarily for nuclear deterrence, whereas multi-purpose nuclear submarines hunt enemy ships and submarines, conduct reconnaissance, support special operations forces, and strike land targets.

Therefore, the most illustrative comparison is between the American Virginia Block V and the Chinese Type 093B (Shang) — China’s most advanced multi-purpose nuclear submarine whose characteristics are currently known with a sufficient degree of reliability.

Virginia-class submarines have formed the backbone of the modern U.S. Navy’s multi-purpose submarine force since the first boat entered service in 2004. They were designed as a universal platform capable of performing a wide range of missions: anti-submarine warfare, destroying surface ships, reconnaissance, strikes against land targets, and support for special operations units.

The Block V modification became the largest stage in the development of this project. The main feature of the new version was the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) — an additional hull section with four large-diameter launch tubes. Each of them carries seven Tomahawk cruise missiles, increasing the submarine’s loadout by another 28 missiles. Installation of the new module increased the submarine’s length from about 115 to 140 meters, while its submerged displacement grew to about 10,200 tons. The additional internal space is also intended for future weapons systems, unmanned underwater vehicles, and equipment for special operations forces. Thanks to this, the Block V has significantly greater flexibility and will be able to adapt more easily to the changing requirements of modern undersea warfare. However, Virginia’s main advantage is not its expanded missile arsenal.

American submarines are the result of many years of investment in technologies to reduce nuclear reactor noise, vibration isolation of machinery, improvements to sonar suites, special sound-absorbing hull coatings, and modern propulsion systems. Although the exact indicators of acoustic signature remain classified, experts unanimously consider Virginia to be one of the quietest multi-purpose nuclear submarines ever built.

In undersea warfare, this advantage is decisive: the ability to detect the enemy first while remaining undetected often determines the outcome of a battle.

The Type 093 family of nuclear submarines is the result of China’s many years of efforts to modernize its multi-purpose nuclear submarines.

The early Type 093 versions and the improved Type 093A already significantly enhanced the capabilities of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy compared with its previous designs.

The latest Type 093B modification takes the next step forward, with particular emphasis on strengthening missile armament and countering surface ships.

The U.S. Department of Defense classifies the Type 093B as a guided-missile nuclear-powered attack submarine. According to available data, between May 2022 and January 2023, China launched at least two such submarines.

The boat is believed to be equipped with vertical launch systems for cruise missiles, allowing it to strike both ships and land targets while remaining hidden underwater.

However, a significant portion of information about the Type 093B still remains undisclosed.

China has not published reliable information about the submarine’s loadout, the characteristics of its sonar suite, the features of its power plant, or its noise level.

Most available data is based on the analysis of satellite imagery, intelligence information, and comparisons with previous Chinese designs. That is why it is much more difficult to assess the real capabilities of the Type 093B than those of the American Virginia.

Nevertheless, this submarine represents a serious technological breakthrough for the Chinese navy. It significantly expands the PLA Navy’s capabilities in escorting carrier strike groups, combating surface ships, launching long-range cruise missile strikes, and conducting operations far beyond the country’s coastal waters.