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| Type 096 Tang class ballistic missile submarine (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons) |
China's new Type 096 Tang-class ballistic missile submarine, thought to be in development, may become a serious threat to the United States in the Western Pacific as it is estimated to be able to carry 24 missiles, according to the Russian Military Analyst based in Moscow.
The article China's Nuclear Potential published on Dec. 30 said that it will still take decades for China to establish sufficient second-strike capability. However, China has taken much less time to develop its nuclear arsenal than most Western observers had previously expected, though the People's Liberation Army Air Force still relies on H-6K bombers and Q-5 attackers for nuclear strike capability.
While Q-5 attackers have been slowly replaced by the more advanced JH-7A, China is unlikely to develop a new stealth bomber to take the H-6K's place in the near future, the article said. However, the H-6K's range had been extended from 1,800 kilometers to 3,000 km and it can now carry six CJ-10A strategic cruise missiles, which would allow the PLA Air Force to hit critical US targets in the Central Pacific.
Read the full story at Want China Times