Type-032 (Qing)

The Type 032 Qing-class is a large conventional submarine designed primarily as a testbed for new ballistic missiles and other advanced naval technologies. It holds the distinction of being the world's largest conventional submarine by submerged displacement.

Developed by the Wuhan Shipyard in the late 2000s, the Type 032 was designed to replace the aging Type 031 submarine as the People's Liberation Army Navy's primary underwater weapons testing platform. The vessel was officially commissioned into service in October 2012, providing a modern, stable environment for trials of advanced naval hardware. Throughout its operational career, it has served as the critical testbed for China's next-generation submarine-launched ballistic missiles, including the JL-2 and JL-3, as well as cruise missiles and new torpedo designs. Following a significant tower modification in 2017 to accommodate larger missiles, the submarine remains active today as a vital, one-of-a-kind asset driving the modernization of China's strategic nuclear deterrent.