China launched a submarine-fired ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on July 6, marking the country’s first publicly acknowledged test of this kind since 2024. A nuclear-powered submarine belonging to the People’s Liberation Army Navy fired the missile, which carried a dummy warhead into designated high-seas waters.
What was tested, and why it matters
The missile involved is believed to be the JL-3, China’s most advanced submarine-launched ballistic missile. The JL-3’s range is significant: it can reach the continental United States from waters relatively close to Chinese shores. That’s a meaningful upgrade from its predecessor, the JL-2, which required submarines to venture much further out to sea before achieving similar reach.
The test was conducted from a Type 094 Jin-class nuclear-powered submarine, with the launch occurring at 12:01 p.m. Beijing time. Beijing described the exercise as part of standard annual training, and Chinese officials stated that advance notifications were issued to relevant parties before the test proceeded.
Regional reaction and geopolitical context
