US officials has claimed that Chinese Type 094 Jin Class Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN) will become fully operational next year with their JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and start regular combat patrols. US intelligence assessments suggest that People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLA Navy) ballistic missile submarine force already have three Type 094 Jin Class Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN) each of which can is built with 12 missile launch tubes to carry JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) This would be the first time Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy will be able to conduct strategic deterrent submarine patrol with long range nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles far from Chinese shores. China fielded limited strategic deterrent submarine patrol along with short range JL-1 submarine-launched ballistic missile in late 1980s. Once operational, Type 094 Jin Class Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN) will allow PLA Navy to target parts of the United States while operating near the Chinese shores under the protection of the Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) units of the PLA Navy. This make Type 094 Jin Class Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN) force first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent of the China.