`China unveils submarine-launched missiles that can reach mainland U.S.`

A U.S. congressional report says that China will likely be able to deploy submarine-to-ground nuclear ballistic missiles capable of striking the mainland U.S.

According to a report by U.S. military news medium Defense News on an early draft of the report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, China`s Type 094 Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) will be able to strike the mainland U.S. by being equipped with the JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles. China has three Type 094 submarines and plans to deploy an additional two by 2020.

China already possesses ground-to-ground nuclear ballistic missiles capable of striking the mainland U.S. However, nuclear ballistic missiles launched from a ground base or a mobile launch vehicle can be subject to preemptive air or missile strikes from an enemy.

"For the first time in the country’s history, China’s sea-based nuclear deterrent nears initial operational capability (IOC)," the preliminary report said.

China`s military modernization is "on track to alter the security balance in Asia over the next five to 10 years, challenging decades of U.S. military preeminence," the report said.