The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has for the first time displayed its JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), marking a turning point in China’s nuclear weapons program. Showcased at Beijing’s Victory Day parade, the missile demonstrates how China has evolved its undersea nuclear deterrent. Successor to the JL-2, the JL-3 features a significantly extended range of 9,000–12,000 kilometers, enabling it to strike the U.S. mainland from protected patrol areas in the South China Sea. The missile’s solid-fuel propulsion, advanced guidance systems, and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) strengthen survivability against modern missile defenses. Analysts believe each JL-3 can carry three to five warheads or penetration aids, giving Beijing a credible second-strike option. Designed for the Type 094A and future Type 096 SSBNs, it positions China’s naval nuclear force among the global elite, comparable to the U.S. Trident II D5 and Russia’s Bulava. The public debut signals China’s intent to shed strategic ambiguity and assert global deterrence credibility.
