COLD WAR II: New Mystery Submarine Signals China’s Rapid Undersea Expansion.

China is launching submarines at a pace unmatched by any other nation. Its latest design, a distinctive and innovative vessel that dispenses with the traditional sail, marks another step in the evolution of an increasingly capable and technologically advanced submarine force. With little official information available, understanding the purpose and capabilities of this new class depends largely on intelligence gathering and expert analysis.

As Western navies struggle to build more than one or two submarines concurrently, China continues to pump them out at an increasing rate. They have launched around 15-20 in the past five years, including at least 8 new classes.

Beijing is building quickly, iterating quickly, and one presumes, learning quickly.