On 18 September, pictures of China's second-generation nuclear-powered submarine, Shang-class (Type 093) were published in the state-run, People's Daily. According to the report, models and some hazy photographs of the submarine were on display in an exhibition at the Military Museum in late July. The increasing reliance of China on its submarine fleet indicates its anxiety about securing and maintaining its access to the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and concerns over the issue of Taiwan. More importantly, as British naval expert, Peter Howarth opines, it is also a proof of the significance Beijing attaches to possessing an offensive undersea warfare capability.

Yet, primacy to the submarine force is not a new thing for People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Since its inception in 1949, submarines have formed a key element of the Chinese flotilla. However, it was only in the 1970s, when China moved from a coastal-defence strategy to a blue water naval strategy that submarines were accorded prime position in the overall scheme of things. According to a Chinese military leader, the nuclear-powered submarine force of the PLAN would be the 'most critical naval asset' in future conflicts. They could prove to be far more versatile weapons platforms for challenging the US naval supremacy in the region. It is in this context that the Shang-class submarine has to be seen.

Western naval experts have for a long time been suggesting that the PLAN was working on a new class of attack submarines to replace the older Han-class (Type 091) submarines which were considered noisy even by normal standards. Preliminary research on the Type 093 submarines began in the 1980s but could not make much headway till 1990 when the St. Petersburg-based Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering stepped in. Actual work began in the mid-1990s at the Huludao-based Bohai Shipyard under high secrecy. The first submarine of the lot was reportedly launched towards the end of 2002 and commissioned in 2006. The second submarine came a year later. According to the Jane's Defence Weekly, the Shang-class has a displacement of 6,000-7,000 tons. With technical and design assistance from Rubin, the new submarine features noise reduction measures, underwater sensors and sophisticated bow-and flank-mounted sonar arrays. The submarine is also reported to be equipped with a lethal combination of anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel torpedoes. Some unconfirmed reports also suggest the launch capability of land-attack cruise missiles. Western intelligence estimates suggest that by 2010, the PLAN could possess 4 to 7 units of this submarine, the exact number depending upon the operational viability of the first two boats.

Considered miles behind the current variants of submarines possessed by the navies of US, Russia and even France, the Shang-class nonetheless suggests a major advancement in China's strategic seapower. While not a direct threat to the US mainland, this new class of submarines can definitely rattle China's neighbourhood particularly Japan, South Korea, India and Vietnam. Yet China's fundamental weakness in the anti-submarine warfare capability means that its threat posture does not look that menacing. More menacing will be the Jin-class (Type 094) submarine that China is hoping will see the light of the day in the near future. With a reported range of 8,000kms the submarine is capable of targeting much of the US. It will also be capable of launching nuclear-tipped missiles. With the Jin-class, China will also be able to straddle the waters of the Indian Ocean. With other elements of its naval strategy in place (like the Coco Island surveillance station in the Bay of Bengal, maritime relations with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and the port at Gwadar, Pakistan), PLAN submarines will find it easier to move in these waters. This scenario has grave security implications for India. The PLAN today operates about 55 attack submarines as against 85 submarines it operated in the 1980s. This decline in number is also suggestive of the trend that has characterized the Chinese military modernization - to a leaner but meaner force.

As against this, what is the status of the Indian Navy? India currently does not operate any nuclear-powered submarine, but that situation is going to change next year when two Akula-class submarines from Russia will join the Indian Navy, under a deal valued at US$2 billion. The Akula-class has displacement of 12,000 tonnes, far ahead of the Shang-class. Moreover, these submarines also have a striking range of 3,000 km. India's indigenous nuclear submarine programme codenamed Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) is comparable to the Shang-class with a reported displacement capacity of 5,500-6,500 tonnes. The sea trials for the ATV are expected to begin by 2009. India is also building six Scorpene-class submarines with assistance from France. If a fleet to fleet comparison were made, the Indian Navy is ahead of the Chinese Navy but beyond that it is really the question of pro-activeness in implementing the naval strategy, where India lags behind China.