Confident China unveils its secretive nuclear submarine fleet for the first time in four decades



Nuclear submarine fleet is one of China's most secretive military programs



Revealed for first time in four decades as sign of country's confidence



For more than 40 years, its fleet of nuclear submarines has been shrouded in mystery.

But now, China has unveiled the older generation of vessels, which can fire destructive rockets from under the sea.

The country disclosed the fleet - one of its most secretive military programs - for the first time in four decades as a sign of its growing strength and confidence.



Revelation: China has unveiled its fleet of nuclear submarines for the first time in four decades

Demonstration: Sailors line up along the deck of one of the Chinese navy's powerful submarines

Confident: China disclosed the fleet in a ceremony yesterday as a sign of its growing strength and confidence

Powerful: A black and white photo of China's Long March 2 nuclear submarine, taken in 1977

In a ceremony yesterday, seamen performed a number of displays on the nuclear-armed submarines off the coast of Qingdao in east China's Shandong province.

They took part in safety drills, simulated military combat and c arried out a series of training exercises.



They could also be seen transporting specialist equipment on the vessels, including China's Long March 2 nuclear submarine.

Event: The submarines were joined by Chinese naval ships and helicopters during the open-air ceremony off the coast of Qingdao in east China's Shandong province

Impressive: The older generation of vessels can fire destructive rockets from under the sea

The submarines were joined by Chinese naval ships and helicopters during the open-air ceremony.

The country's PLA (People's Liberation Army) is devoting increasing resources to its naval forces to safeguard its maritime interests and assert its territorial claims.



However, the US has expressed concern over China's military developments - particularly since the country started operating within America's exclusive economic zone in June.

Performance: Seamen performed a number of displays on the nuclear-armed submarines, including transporting specialist equipment on the vessels

Action: They also took part in safety drills, simulated military combat and carried out training exercises

Concern: The US has expressed concern over China's military developments - particularly since the country started operating within America's exclusive economic zone in June

And earlier this year, a Chinese naval fleet was spotted sailing through an international strait between northern Japan and Russian's far east.



The two missile destroyers, joined by three other vessels, sparked concern after passing through the Soya Strait, which separates the Sakhalin Islands in Russia from the island of Hokkaido in Japan.

