Indo-Pacific — 2026-09-22

Satellite Imagery Reveals Chinese Next-Generation Type 095 Nuclear Submarine With Pumpjet Propulsor and Possible VLS at Bohai Shipyard

BLUFChina's adoption of pumpjet propulsion and X-tail control surfaces on the Type 095 marks a generational leap in PLAN submarine quieting, though confirmation of a VLS capability remains unlikely before late March 2027.

Satellite imagery collected September 18 by Vantor and reviewed by The War Zone shows a Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine under construction at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao fitted with a shrouded pumpjet propulsor and an X-shaped stern plane arrangement 12. Janes, analyzing separate Vantor imagery from September 1 showing the boat in dry dock, identified the same pumpjet and four-plane X-tail configuration and described it as the first known Chinese SSN to adopt that stern design 23. The September 1 imagery also shows an open rectangular section aft of the sail that Janes and The War Zone say could house a vertical launch system; naval analyst Alex Luck told The War Zone he is not certain the space is a VLS bay and said it could instead relate to reactor-compartment work 1. The September 18 image additionally shows two large circular openings side by side forward of the sail. The War Zone and Military Watch Magazine say their function is unclear and compare them to the Virginia-class Payload Tubes, while also citing the sonar array as a possible alternative purpose 13. Based on Planet Labs archive imagery, The War Zone estimates the submarine's length at approximately 120 meters, matching Military Watch Magazine's figure and exceeding the roughly 110-meter length estimated for a submarine that appeared at the same shipyard in February 13.

Analysis
Confirmation of the aft rectangular opening as a vertical launch system would validate a dedicated SSGN variant of the Type 095, sharpening U.S. Navy targeting priorities before the class reaches initial operating capability, but such confirmation is unlikely by March 22, 2027: dry dock and fitting-out imagery leaves the space's function ambiguous, and China's practice of shrouding VLS sections during fitting-out will likely keep the configuration obscured through most of the window. Analysts flag reactor-compartment work as a plausible alternative use for the opening. Moderate confidence rests on convergent secondary reporting from The War Zone, Subsim, and Military Watch Magazine on the pumpjet and X-tail features, all drawn from the same Vantor and Janes commercial imagery with no independent visibility into internal configuration or primary government assessment. Continued ambiguity leaves current Type 095 threat-assessment timelines unchanged for ONI and Indo-Pacific planners.

3 sources

Chinese Next-Generation Submarine Developments Spotted In New Satellite Imagery - The War Zone
Satellite image confirms latest features on China's Type 095 nuclear submarines - Subsim
Advanced Features of China's Next Generation Nuclear Attack Submarine Revealed in Satellite Imagery - Military Watch Magazine