China to deploy new class of strategic missile submarines next year

The Chinese Navy is expected to begin the first sea patrols of a new class of strategic missile submarines next year.

The development highlights a new and growing missile threat to the U.S. homeland, U.S. defense officials have said.

According to the Washington Times, one official familiar with recent intelligence assessments of the Chinese strategic submarine force said they are anticipating that combat patrols of submarines carrying the new JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile will begin next year.

China's strategic missile submarine force currently includes three new Type 094 missile submarines each built with 12 missile launch tubes.

The submarine patrols will include number of new JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) on the Type 094s.

According to the report, if the missile submarine patrols are carried out in 2014 it would be the first time China will conduct submarine operations involving nuclear-tipped missiles far from Chinese shores despite having a small missile submarine force since the late 1980s.