You won't get a definitive answer I will guess. But it looks like an experimental comms payload to me. Could be related to a number of applications, maybe related to networked C2.
Latest satellite imagery of the 032 SSBK, posted by @foolsball on Twitter.
Turns out the VLS call-launched AShMs and SL-ICBMs aren't the only things getting trialed and evaluated onboard the 032 - A pumpjet is also present at the stern:
In fact, the 032 has been observed with this as early as 2017, likely after a refit where she was modified to launch JL-3/4, among other things:
Turns out the VLS call-launched AShMs and SL-ICBMs aren't the only things getting trialed and evaluated onboard the 032 - A pumpjet is also present at the stern:
In fact, the 032 has been observed with this as early as 2017, likely after a refit where she was modified to launch JL-3/4, among other things:
I've renamed the thread.
Future posts should be done here. i don't quite have the energy to track down the previous posts in the other thread and move them here lol
Note that the second picture dates June 2019, not 2017. There are no public images I know with the required detail to clarify whether the Type 032 had the pump-jet before 2019. It is logical to assume the feature was added as part of the comprehensive refit in 2017, but this remains speculative for now.