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China Constructs Hypersonic Missile Submarine in Response to US Typhon Deployment in Philippines.
The construction of a new Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine, equipped with hypersonic missiles, could present a strategic challenge to the deployment of the United States' Typhon missile system in the Philippines. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing a semi-official Chinese military publication, this submarine, currently under development at a shipyard in Wuhan, is part of Beijing’s broader strategy to counter the expansion of U.S. military influence in the region.
A satellite image from Maxar captured on March 10, 2024, shows the Zhou-class submarine docked at the pier. (Picture source: Maxar)
Although the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has not officially confirmed the existence of this submarine, the magazine Naval & Merchant Ships, affiliated with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has provided several details about its design and potential role. The publication suggests that the project aims to strengthen China’s deterrence capabilities within the "first island chain," a strategic zone stretching from Japan to the Philippines.
This development follows the deployment of U.S. Typhon missile launchers on Luzon Island in the Philippines during a joint military exercise in April 2024. These launchers are capable of firing long-range missiles capable of reaching targets in China, Russia, and North Korea, altering the regional military balance. China has strongly opposed their presence, describing them as offensive and strategic weapons that pose a security threat. The United States, however, maintains that these systems are intended to deter potential threats and safeguard its allies.
The Chinese submarine under construction is designed to be equipped with advanced hypersonic missiles, enabling it to carry out precision strikes over long distances and penetrate enemy defenses. According to the publication, it may also have the capability to deploy nuclear warheads, enhancing China’s ability to counter U.S. military assets in the western Pacific. If operationalized, this vessel could play a key role in China’s evolving naval doctrine, which emphasizes stealth, deterrence, and asymmetric warfare.
The submarine was first identified in mid-2024 through satellite imagery captured at a shipyard in Wuhan, Hubei province. Analysts suggest it could belong to the Zhou-class (Type 041), which gained attention following an incident in May or June 2024 when the first unit allegedly sank during its fitting-out phase at Wuchang Shipbuilding along the Yangtze River. According to U.S. military assessments, the Type 041 is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system that combines conventional diesel-electric power with a small nuclear reactor. This configuration could provide increased operational endurance and greater strategic flexibility.
One of the submarine’s notable technological features is its vertical launch system (VLS), allowing it to fire both cruise missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles. Unlike traditional submarines that rely on torpedo tubes for missile launches, this capability enhances firepower, enables faster missile deployment, and provides greater tactical versatility. The vessel also incorporates an X-shaped tail fin, a design aimed at improving maneuverability and operational safety, particularly in deep-water environments.
Another critical feature of this submarine is its air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, which reduces the need for surfacing to access oxygen. This technology would allow the vessel to remain submerged for extended periods, making it more difficult to detect and track. In the South China Sea, where China has been expanding its military presence, this capability could provide a significant strategic advantage. The region’s underwater geography, which includes reefs, sandbanks, deep trenches, and islands, presents both opportunities and challenges for stealth operations.
Experts suggest that this submarine, capable of operating independently or in small formations, could complicate adversaries' operations by forcing them to disperse in response to an unpredictable undersea threat. This aligns with China’s asymmetric deterrence strategy, which seeks to counter technologically superior opponents through innovative means rather than direct confrontation.
The vessel is reportedly armed with the YJ-21 hypersonic missile, already deployed on China’s Type 093 nuclear attack submarines and Type 055 cruisers. With an estimated range of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers and a speed of up to Mach 10, this missile would significantly enhance the Chinese Navy’s strike capabilities against naval and land-based targets. This suggests that China is actively working on integrating hypersonic technology into its undersea forces, which could reshape the balance of power in the Western Pacific.
The development of this submarine coincides with Beijing’s increasing opposition to U.S. military deployments in the region. China has strongly criticized the placement of Typhon missile systems in the Philippines, calling for their removal and arguing that they destabilize regional security. Meanwhile, the United States continues to expand its global missile defense network, considering additional Typhon deployments in Japan, Germany, and Denmark as part of a broader strategy aimed at limiting Chinese naval movements.
Amid increasing militarization, the South China Sea could become a crucial testing ground for this submarine. With an average depth exceeding 1,200 meters and a complex underwater landscape, this area presents a strategic environment where stealth operations could play a decisive role. The submarine’s ability to navigate these waters undetected could be a key factor in China’s ability to project power and deter foreign military activities near its maritime borders.
Although the PLA has not yet officially acknowledged the existence of this submarine, the detailed descriptions provided by a semi-official Chinese military publication indicate that it is in the development phase. If operationalized, it could mark a transformation in China’s naval capabilities, particularly in countering U.S. and allied military forces in the Indo-Pacific. The emergence of this submarine reflects the intensifying strategic competition between Beijing and Washington, as both powers continue to strengthen their military presence in contested waters of the Pacific.