BOMBSHELL Google Maps images have exposed China's secret submarine fleet with six nuke boats massed at a base – as fears loom of war with Taiwan.
The terrifying shots are the latest example of China expanding its submarine force to blatantly challenge the US' naval power in the Western Pacific.
The base – dubbed the First Submarine Base – is located 18km east of Qingdao in the Yellow Sea, meaning there's easy access to the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan.
Shocking Google images show that China is resting at least six active nuclear submarines on the base.
Australian independent naval analyst Alex Luck posted the shocking images to X.
In the post, he said that five nuclear-powered subs seen on the base were conventionally armed.
These included two of the deadly Type 091 submarines, two Type 093A and one chillingly unidentified submarine.
The unknown vessel may be undergoing scrapping as maintenance occurs at a separate site, Luck explained.
And the only Chinese Type 092 nuclear-powered ballistic missile sub that was recently replaced by Type 094 is also visible in the Google images.
But reports suggest that China lost its brand new nuclear-powered attack submarine, known as Type 041, which is said to have sank at a shipyard last year in May or June.
Meanwhile the US has deployed five conventionally armed nuclear-powered subs on the island of Guam, a military hub in the Western Pacific.
The Pentagon‘s China military power report read: “The [People's Liberation Army Navy] has highly prioritised modernising its submarine force but its force structure continues to grow modestly as it matures its force, integrates new technologies, and expands its shipyards.”
Captain at a submarine detachment of the Chinese navy Wen Xuexing revealed in June last year: “Now, the country's submarine force development comprises both nuclear-powered and conventional boats, with nuclear-powered being the main focus.”
Just last week, Taiwan launched 14 days of war games to prepare for the “worst case scenario” as tensions with China reach boiling point.
The war games are part of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang series of military exercises that put the island's defence capabilities to the test.
The computer drills will use the US-built Joint Theater Level Simulation platform to simulate Taiwan's “worst case scenario” – .
The drills will also simulate “grey zone” activities which are aggressive attacks just short of a full-scale invasion.
And they will likely feature new weapons acquired by the island including M1A2T tanks, HIMARS rocket systems, and land-based anti-ship missile systems.
The computer drills will be followed by live-fire drills – scheduled for ten day in July.
Taiwan's Minister of National Defense Minister Wellington Koo said this year’s exercises are based on a hypothetical invasion by China in 2027.
The war games come after China conducted two days of large-scale exercises, including live-fire drills, around Taiwan.
Satellite pictures from the Chinese drills revealed huge hybrid vessels lining up to form a floating bridge during the drills.
The specialised barges connect to form a continuous bridge along which invading ground vehicles such as tanks could trundle ashore.
Huge retractable legs anchor the barges to the seabed like stilts.
Some experts have doubted whether China would be able to cross the Taiwan Strait with sufficient speed and numbers for an invasion.
But this new system is the latest effort to make it possible – and sparked fresh fears that China is gearing up for an attack.
Taiwan has previously accused China of using generative AI to ramp up disinformation against Taiwan.
The island believes the Chinese leader is using the technology to “divide” its population.
And has already shown signs of preparations for a potential war.
The intensive work going on in Chinese shipyards suggests is planning a massive amphibious assault.
is building at least , according to satellite imagery and military sources.
These massive barges are capable of delivering fleets of tanks and the 1.2 million troops experts calculate Beijing would need to invade Taiwan.
The purpose-built bridges resemble the floating Mulberry Harbours used by Allied forces during the landings in June 1944.
Beijing is also building its largest-ever aircraft carrier – capable of launching war jets from four runways at the same time.
China is already engaged in what experts call a “war of words” against Taiwan.
In his New Year's address, President Xi said that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family.
He has previously called the independence of Taiwan a futile effort and that annexation by Beijing is a “historical inevitability”.
