China reportedly showed off a mock-up of its next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine at its submarine academy, People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in Qingdao, China.
With this move, speculations are rife about China investing heavily on advanced submarines. According to The Washington Post, the show may just be a means of inspiring students at the academy. However; it also added that the move may also signify PLAN's preparation to bring out its next generation submarines.
Reportedly, the photos of the mock-up had first appeared in April during a Chinese naval conference. China has often used mock-up weapons to send out political messages to both the domestic and foreign audience in the past, the report added.
The show is also being seen as a glimpse of China's second nuclear-powered attack submarine, Type-095, the successor to its current Type-093. As per the report, two Type-093s are already deployed and four improved Type-093s are scheduled to be fielded in the next five years.
