China is now the world’s second-largest operator of nuclear-powered submarines.
According to reports, China has 32 active nuclear submarines, while Russia has 25 to 28 operational ones.
The U.S. remains the number one, with the world’s biggest nuclear submarine fleet, operating 71 as of 31 December 2025, including fast-attack subs, ballistic missile subs and guided missile submarines.
China is building submarines and other warships at a tremendous pace and increasing its presence and dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.
China’s submarine fleet includes attacks variant, guided-missile subs and ballistic submarines; a maturing undersea fleet.
There are nine Type 093 and 093A Shang-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, which are the backbone of the submarine fleet, as they handle multi-mission assets.
China also has the Type 093B guided-missile submarine with vertical launch systems to fire cruise missiles.
About 16 Type 093B hulls exist, and many are in service while others are being constructed or undergoing trials.
This is the biggest series of nuclear submarines presently being constructed anywhere in the world.
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