Chinese soldiers take part in the founding ceremony of the submarine fleet in 1971. China declassified its first fleet of nuclear submarines for the first time on Sunday, October 27. The official debut of the fleet was in 2009, when the PLA navy celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding with two nuclear submarines of the Chinese navy leading a spectacular parade.
Founding China's nuclear fleet —
Chinese soldiers take part in the founding ceremony of the submarine fleet in 1971. China declassified its first fleet of nuclear submarines for the first time on Sunday, October 27. The official debut of the fleet was in 2009, when the PLA navy celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding with two nuclear submarines of the Chinese navy leading a spectacular parade.
CNS/Color China Photo/AP Images
China's Long March 2 nuclear submarine is seen during a launch ceremony in 1977.
Long March to war? —
China's Long March 2 nuclear submarine is seen during a launch ceremony in 1977.
CNS/Color China Photo/AP Images
A Chinese navy nuclear submarine launches a carrier rocket in 1988.
Blast off —
A Chinese navy nuclear submarine launches a carrier rocket in 1988.
Qiao Tianfu/Color China Photo/AP Images
A Chinese navy nuclear submarine takes part in a nuclear safety drill at the Qingdao submarine base in east China's Shandong province on October 26, 2010. The fleet has had a remarkable safety record for more than 40 years and has gained rich experience through rigorous training and drills, its fleet commanders said.
Sub safety —
A Chinese navy nuclear submarine takes part in a nuclear safety drill at the Qingdao submarine base in east China's Shandong province on October 26, 2010. The fleet has had a remarkable safety record for more than 40 years and has gained rich experience through rigorous training and drills, its fleet commanders said.
Wang Songqi/Color China Photo/AP Images
Soldiers clean and disinfect a nuclear submarine at the Qingdao submarine base in east China's Shandong province on July 17.
Keeping it clean —
Soldiers clean and disinfect a nuclear submarine at the Qingdao submarine base in east China's Shandong province on July 17.
Zha Chunming/Color China Photo/AP Images
Soldiers walk past the submarine's nuclear reaction cabin at the Qingdao base in east China's Shandong province on September 3.
Reactor care —
Soldiers walk past the submarine's nuclear reaction cabin at the Qingdao base in east China's Shandong province on September 3.
Qiao Tianfu/Color China Photo/AP Images