JL-3 explained

The JL-3 (; NATO reporting name: CSS-NX-20) is a Chinese third-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). It arms the Type 094 submarine,^[2] and is expected to arm the future Type 096.^[3]

History

The first test flight occurred on 24 November 2018 in the Bohai Sea; it was likely a test of the launch tube's cold-launch ejection system. According to anonymous Chinese sources, the Type 032 submarine made the first three test launches, with a Type 094 making the fourth in December 2019.^[4]

In 2020, anonymous Chinese sources reported that development of the JL-3 and Type 096 had been decoupled to speed up missile development, and that it would take at least five years to integrate the missile with the submarine.^[4]

In November 2022, the United States Navy reported that the Type 094 was rearmed with the JL-3.^[5]

Description

The JL-3 is reported as a solid-fueled missile with ranges of over 9000km (6,000miles)^[6] or 10000km (10,000miles).^[1]

The Center for Strategic and International Studies reports the likely payload to be three MIRV nuclear warheads.^[7]

Notes and References

1. United States Department of Defense . United States Department of Defense . 19 October 2023 . Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023 . 55 . 10 July 2024.
2. Web site: Capaccio . Anthony . China Has Put Longer-Range ICBMs on Its Nuclear Subs, US Says . Bloomberg . 18 November 2022 . 19 November 2022.
3. United States Department of Defense . United States Department of Defense . 29 November 2022 . Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2022 . 96 . 7 May 2023.
4. News: China nuclear missile development steps up a gear with test of weapon capable of hitting US mainland . . January 4, 2020 . https://archive.today/20200109014323/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3044674/china-nuclear-missile-development-steps-gear-test-weapon . January 9, 2020 . Minnie . Chan.
5. Web site: Capaccio . Anthony . China Has Put Longer-Range ICBMs on Its Nuclear Subs, US Says . Bloomberg . 18 November 2022 . 19 November 2022.
6. Web site: Shaikh . Shaan . China Flight Tests New JL-3 SLBM . Missile Threat . Center for Strategic and International Studies . 21 December 2018 . 29 December 2018.
7. How is China Modernizing its Nuclear Forces? . Center for Strategic and International Studies . 10 December 2019 . 7 May 2023.