Type-093A (Shang II)

The Type 093A, also known as Shang II, is an improved class of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It features enhanced stealth capabilities, improved sensors, and a vertical launching system (VLS) for cruise missiles, distinguishing it from the earlier Type 093.

Developed in the early 2010s to address the acoustic deficiencies of the base Type 093 and older Han-class vessels, the Type 093A was designed to provide the People's Liberation Army Navy with a more survivable blue-water escort and interdiction capability. The first units of this upgraded variant entered active service around 2015, representing a significant leap in China's domestic nuclear submarine manufacturing. While they have not seen combat, Type 093A hulls have been regularly deployed on long-range patrols in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, demonstrating China's growing capability to project undersea power far from its shores. Today, the Shang II remains a critical component of China's active submarine fleet, serving as a technological stepping stone toward the newer Type 093B and next-generation Type 095 classes.