China Will Deploy Subs that Could Nuke Alaska or Hawaii This Year

China is set to deploy submarines sometime this year armed with nuclear tipped missiles capable of striking Alaska or Hawaii.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine is set to begin patrols in 2014 — armed with the PLAN’s new Ju Lang 2 (JL2).
With a range in excess of 4000 [nautical miles], the JL-2 submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM), will enable the JIN to strike Hawaii and Alaska and possibly western portions of CONUS from East Asian waters.
The Jin, or Type 94, submarines are a developmental leap over the older Type 92 Xia-class submarines armed with the much less capable JL-1 SLBM.
The Jins — 11,000 tons fully submerged — will be the PLAN’s first bid to create a credible sea-based nuclear deterrent to operate with China’s land based nuclear ballistic missiles.
The missile has been under development by the Chinese for more than a decade.
If China plans for five or six of the Jin-class submarines, it’s likely to mimic the nuclear deterrent ability of smaller Western nations like the U.K. and France.
As part of creating a deterrent patrol, the PLAN has accelerated submarine operations.
It’s unclear when this year the first patrol will occur.
usni.org