New satellite images from Google Earth show that a Chinese naval base is home to at least six nuclear submarines, noted naval analyst Alex Luck, quoted by IFLScience.
It is specified that this is the submarine base in Qingdao, in the eastern part of Shandong province.
Among the vessels, the analyst identified at least one nuclear submarine SSBN - strategic missile submarine. He suggested that the other submarines may be training and are likely armed with conventional weapons.
Luk also spotted an unidentified submarine in dry dock, suggesting it was being prepared for deployment.
According to the publication, China has about 600 nuclear warheads in its arsenal. The country adheres to a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons. China mainly has land-based and air-based nuclear deterrents, although the country has recently expanded its nuclear submarine fleet.
