Hainan Submarine Base
Encyclopedia
Hainan Submarine Base is a naval base for nuclear submarine along the southern coast of Hainan Island, PRC
. This underground base has recently reported by several agencies, especially Indian ones. The images collected by the Federation of American Scientists
(FAS) in February 2008 shows that China constructed a large scale underground base for its naval forces. The base raises concern over security threats to ASEAN nations and India
since it has the capability to cut off all commercial activity in Strait of Malacca
and South China Sea
in case a crisis occurs.
operational by 2010 with each capable of carrying 12 JL-2 intercontinental ballistic missile
. Two 950 metre piers and three smaller ones would be enough to accommodate two carrier
strike groups or amphibious assault ship
s.
. It is roughly 50 nautical miles (92.6 km) from the base to the 200 meter isobath. It is 150 nautical miles (277.8 km) to the closest of the disputed Spratley Islands or the city of Da Nang
, Vietnam. Speculation has been raised that the base is intended to be expanded to include future capability for aircraft carrier groups.
More than half of the world's annual merchant fleet tonnage passes through the Strait of Malacca
, Sunda Strait
, and Lombok Strait
, with the majority continuing on into the South China Sea
. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Malacca leading into the South China Sea is more than three times greater than Suez Canal traffic, and well over five times more than the Panama Canal. The People's Republic of China (PRC) has stated its claim to almost the entire body of water.
The submarine base is not in a remote location. It is only a few miles from the city of Sanya
(population 536,000 in 2006), a popular tourist destination and the site of a major planned future cruise hub. The base is immediately next to the Yalong Bay National Resort District featuring resort hotels operated by Banyan Tree, Hilton, Marriot, Sheraton, Ritz Carlton, and Holiday Inn right outside of the entrance.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. This underground base has recently reported by several agencies, especially Indian ones. The images collected by the Federation of American Scientists
Federation of American Scientists
The Federation of American Scientists is a nonpartisan, 501 organization intent on using science and scientific analysis to attempt make the world more secure. FAS was founded in 1945 by scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bombs...
(FAS) in February 2008 shows that China constructed a large scale underground base for its naval forces. The base raises concern over security threats to ASEAN nations and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
since it has the capability to cut off all commercial activity in Strait of Malacca
Strait of Malacca
The Strait of Malacca is a narrow, stretch of water between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is named after the Malacca Sultanate that ruled over the archipelago between 1414 to 1511.-Extent:...
and South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
in case a crisis occurs.
Description
The caverns are capable of hiding up to 20 nuclear submarines from spy satellites. The harbor houses nuclear ballistic missile submarines and is large enough to accommodate aircraft carriers. The US Department of Defense has estimated that China will have five Type 094 nuclear submarinesType 094 submarine
The Type 094 is a new class of ballistic missile submarine developed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The first-of-class was constructed at Huludao Shipyard in Huludao, Liaoning Province and launched in July 2004...
operational by 2010 with each capable of carrying 12 JL-2 intercontinental ballistic missile
Intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a long range typically designed for nuclear weapons delivery...
. Two 950 metre piers and three smaller ones would be enough to accommodate two carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
strike groups or amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship
An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...
s.
Location
The submarine base is located at the point in Chinese territory that is closest to the continental shelfContinental shelf
The continental shelf is the extended perimeter of each continent and associated coastal plain. Much of the shelf was exposed during glacial periods, but is now submerged under relatively shallow seas and gulfs, and was similarly submerged during other interglacial periods. The continental margin,...
. It is roughly 50 nautical miles (92.6 km) from the base to the 200 meter isobath. It is 150 nautical miles (277.8 km) to the closest of the disputed Spratley Islands or the city of Da Nang
Da Nang
Đà Nẵng , occasionally Danang, is a major port city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea at the mouth of the Han River. It is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam; its well-sheltered, easily accessible port and its location on the path of...
, Vietnam. Speculation has been raised that the base is intended to be expanded to include future capability for aircraft carrier groups.
More than half of the world's annual merchant fleet tonnage passes through the Strait of Malacca
Strait of Malacca
The Strait of Malacca is a narrow, stretch of water between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is named after the Malacca Sultanate that ruled over the archipelago between 1414 to 1511.-Extent:...
, Sunda Strait
Sunda Strait
The Sunda Strait is the strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. It connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean...
, and Lombok Strait
Lombok Strait
The Lombok Strait is a strait connecting the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean, located between the islands of Bali and Lombok in Indonesia. The Gili Islands are on the Lombok side....
, with the majority continuing on into the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Malacca leading into the South China Sea is more than three times greater than Suez Canal traffic, and well over five times more than the Panama Canal. The People's Republic of China (PRC) has stated its claim to almost the entire body of water.
The submarine base is not in a remote location. It is only a few miles from the city of Sanya
Sanya
Sanya is the southernmost city in China and is a part of Hainan Province. In 2006, it had a population of 536,000, making it, after the provincial capital , the second most populous city on the island. The city is renowned for its tropical climate and has emerged as a popular tourist destination,...
(population 536,000 in 2006), a popular tourist destination and the site of a major planned future cruise hub. The base is immediately next to the Yalong Bay National Resort District featuring resort hotels operated by Banyan Tree, Hilton, Marriot, Sheraton, Ritz Carlton, and Holiday Inn right outside of the entrance.