The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia in this February 6, 2013 handout photo. The Tennessee and 13 other Ohio-class submarines are critical elements of the U.S. nuclear deterrent but th
The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia in this February 6, 2013 handout photo. Reuters/US Navy

China is working to build more warship destroyers in 2015, the Want China Times reported, citing Fujian-based Quanzhou Evening News. A massive number of Type 052 destroyers, China will particularly build a Type 052C ship and seven more Type 052D ships. The Type 052C, a guided-missile destroyer, resembles the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

China launched on Dec 22 the Jinan, one of six Type 052C destroyers meant to accompany the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier. Apart from the Type 052C, China also has five other Type 052D destroyers, according to the PLA Navy. Known as the "Chinese Aegis," these destroyers are equipped with an "active electronically scanned array multi-function phased array radar system," Want China Times said.

The development of more Type 052 destroyers comes after China military said it will field four Type-094s and two next-generation Type-096 submarines by the year 2020. The advanced nuclear-powered attack and ballistic missile submarines, according to Focus Taiwan News, citing Russian Military Observer, can carry 80 sea-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and 250 to 300 nuclear-armed missiles.

The Type-096 submarines, the Russian Military Observer reported, can carry 24 sea-based ballistic missiles. Its estimated range reportedly extends to 11,000 kilometres.

The United States forces in Central Asia are closely monitoring China's nuclear forces, which reportedly number under 2,000 warheads. While admitting China's military technology and invention remain a far cry from that of the U.S., Want China Times said the new Type 096 Tang-class ballistic missile submarine "may become a serious threat" to the latter in the Western Pacific because of its increased capacity to carry up to 24 missile from previous 12 of the Type 094. "The new Type 096 Tang-class submarines may prove very useful against U.S. forces in the future... With an attack range of at least 11,000 km, it could conceivably attack the United States under the escort of China's surface combat fleet."

The Russian Military Observer said the ballistic missiles carried by the Type 094 submarines cannot reach the continental United States "unless fired from the Central Pacific." But these would be easily detected and countered by U.S. forces long before they attempt to surge in the waters surrounding Hawaii.