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 Shang 407
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Type 093/09III Shang class is the new generation of SSN replacing the old Type
091. Its main mission was speculated to defend against American CVBG attacks in the west Pacific. This sub
has been under development for more than 10 years but encoutered certain technological bottlenecks in the
early 90s particularly in the areas of noise reduction measures. It was reported Russian assistance was
sought to resolve those critical issues in the late 90s. However Type 093 appears to have limited Russian
influences such as a double hull design and is longer longer than Type 091. It features a more reliable and
powerful pressurized water reactor (PWR), a new bow sonar and three flank sonar
arrays (H/SQG-207) on each side of the hull. Its noise level is further reduced by a new asymmetrical
seven blade skewed propeller and anechoic tiles. The displacement of Type 093 was
estimated to be 6,000 dived. It is expected to be able to fire advanced wire-guided torpedos and
launch YJ-82 AshMs. Its overall combat capability was thought to be comparable to Russian Victor III class
in the late 70s, but still representing a significant technological achievement when compared with its
predecessor. The inital batch of 2 were built (407 & 408?). The first boat was launched between 2000-01 and has
been undergoing sea trial since late 2002. It was finally commissioned in late 2006. A total number of 6-8
093 SSNs were projected. At least one 093 has been deployed to a naval base near Sanya in Hannan
Island facing South China Sea. A new design (Type 095/09V) has been under development, suggesting that
Shang SSN may not be advanced enough to fully meet PLAN's requirements. The latest rumor claimed that
Type 095 might feature vertically launched SLCMs.
- Last Updated 6/26/09 |
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Jin
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Type 094 (09IV, 9,000t dived) Jin class is the new generation of SSBN replacing
the old Type 092. Its most leathal weapons are 12 JL-2 SLBMs (CSS-NX-4, 3 or 4 MIRVs at 90kT each or a single
nuclear warheard, range 8,000km) which enable Type 094 to strike the west coast of
United States from west Pacific near Chinese coast. Little information has been released for this highly
classified project. However it is believe to be quieter and safer than its predecessor. The first boat was
discovered by satellite floating inside a naval sub base near Dalian in 2006. The photo indicates an
enlarged design based on Type 092 without drastic changes. This suggests the Jin class is not a completely
new design using only cutting edge technologies, rather it emphasizes safety and reliability by adopting mature
technologies evolving from the old Xia class. It also features the same set of bow and flank sonars as
Type 093. Type 094 is expected to be escorted by Type 093 SSN during its combat mission patrolling in the west
Pacific. The construction of the first Jin SSBN was believed to have started in 1999 and it was launched
in July 2004 at Bohai Shipyard. Currently it is in service with PLAN. Two more Jin SSBNs were
launched and being fitted at Huludao Shipyard in 2007. It has been rumored that a new generation of SSBN
(Type 096/09VI?) carrying JL-3 SLBM is under development but this has not been confirmed. At least one 094 has
been deployed to a naval base near Sanya in Hannan Island facing South China Sea.
- Last Updated 6/26/09 |
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Han 403 Long March 3
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The Han 403 SSN (Type 091/09I, 5,500t dived) was seen during the military parade
to celebrate the 60th anniversary of PLAN in April 2009. As the first generation Chinese SSN (401 to 405),
the leading boats (401 & 402?) had suffered radiation problems which appeared to have been partially solved
later after extensive refits, as the result since 90s 401 has become inoperational. Many improvements have
been made on the remaining boats (dubbed Type 091G?). The improvements may include
a better torpedo (improved Yu-3A?) and the capability to launch YJ-82 AShMs from
the 533mm torpedo tube. A new black anechoic tile coating may have been applied to the hull in addition to
new rectangluar shaped venting holes. A new cylindical
bow sonar (H/SQG-262B) was also installed, as well as a new 7-blade skew propeller to reduce noise. Type
091G may have new flank sonar arrays installed as well. One Han class SSN
was spotted in May 2005 at a newly commissioned nuclear sub base in Hainan Island north of the South China
Sea. This is the first time that an SSN has been formally deployed in the South China Sea region, reflecting
its strategic importance to China.
- Last Updated 6/27/09 |
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Xia 406 Long March 6
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The single Xia class SSBN (Type 092G/09II, 6,500t
dived) was seen during the military parade in April 2009. This modernization project included a new black
paint, a new bow mounted sonar (H/SQG-262B), a redesigned casing housing longer missile launch tubes, plus
upgraded combat control systems for launching new SLBMs. Initially armed with 12 JL-1
(CSS-N-3) SLBMs (inertial guidance to 1,700km with a single 1.25MT nuclear warhead, improved version has a
range of 2,500km), it is now believed to carry the new JL-2 SLBMs (CSS-NX-4, with
3 or 4 MIRV at 90kT each, range 8,000km). For years Xia 406 has been PLAN's sole nuclear deterrence
force, which appears limited and ineffective (although it was rumored that a 2nd boat was built but this was
never confirmed). This reality suggests serious limitations of the 092/JL-1 design and the submarine never
entered series production. Instead it has become a valuable testbed for PLAN to shape its tactics and
strategies for modern SSBN warfare since the first successful test fire of JL-1
SLBM in 1988. It was reported that a JL-2 SLBM was successfully test-fired from 406 on June 16, 2005.
- Last Updated 4/29/09 |
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Kilo
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A Kilo class SSK (Type 636, 3,076t dived) was spotted sailing on the surface by
a surveillance aircraft. Although it could be inferior to its counterpart in the Russian Navy,
these Kilos does represent a major step forward in PLAN's conventional submarine capabilities in
terms of propulsion, fire control and weapon systems. The submarine can carry up to 18 TEST-71, TEST-96
or 53-65KE wire-guided torpedoes to be fired by 6 torpedo tubes, it may
also be fitted with SA-N-8 SAM system as well. More significantly, the third and the fourth boats (366 & 367) are the latest Project 636 model, one of the quietest conventional
submarines in the world (~117db). The first 636 Kilo was ferried to China in November 1997 and the
second one in late 1998. Currently all four Kilos were based at Xiangshan in the East Sea
Fleat. However the first two 877EKM (364, 365) subs were reportedly to
have suffered mechanical problems (damaged batteries and generators), and were inoperational forseveral
months. In May 2002 China ordered 8 Type 636s to be armed with the new Club-S series (3M54E/SS-N-27, range
300km at Mach 0.8) SLCMs from Russia , a move considered as China's response to Taiwan's order of 8
diesel subs from US. The contract worths $1.5b and will be fulfilled within 5 years, reflecting PLAN's
urgency to build a credible submarine force to counter US and Japanese naval forces. Two of them were
launched in Russia in summer 2004. The first boat was ferried to China in Februay 2005. One more were
launched on July 27, 2005. Two more were ferried to China in between May and June 2006. Currently all 8
636s (368-375?) are in service with PLAN.
- Last Updated 1/13/08 |
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Song
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Two 039G SSGs were cruising on the surface before diving into the sea. The first
of this new class of SSG (Type 039, 2,250t dived) was launched in May 1994 but not commissioned until
1998. Although it still retains the stepped sail similar to the old Ming/Romeo class, the
overall design represents a major step forward compared with the obsolete Ming class. The improvement
includes a hydrodynamically sleek profile, new cylindrical bow mounted sonars (H/SQG-04?) and German
MTU 12V 493 diesel engine. With a large asymmetrical seven-blade skewed propeller,
the Song class is much quieter than its predecessor. This class is also the first Chinese submarine
capable of launching YJ-82 AShMs as well as new torpedos including Yu-3B & wire-guided Yu-6 (Mk-48 class) from its
533mm torpedo tubes. However, the construction of Type 039 ended after only a single hull (320) was built
due to some design flaws. As the result, all boats following 320 are the improved Type 039G, the first of
which (321) entered the PLAN service at the end of 2001. The 2nd 039G (322) was believed to be undergoing
sea trial in late 2002. Since then at least three new hulls were launched at Wuhan Shipyard and two
more at Jiangnan Shipyard, a clear indication that Type 039G has finally evolved into a mature
design and entered series production. This version has the stepped sail removed making it similar
to French Agosta-90B in external appearance. A new coat of anechoic tile is
believed to have been applied to further reduce the noise. In additon it might be fitted in the future
with an AIP system believed to have been tested onboard a Ming class SS. So far few more 039Gs (314-316, 318,
323-324, 327 and 328?) have been identified. The latest image suggested that 039
has been equipped with possibly a new type of wave homing torpedo, but its exact
designation is still unknown.
- Last Updated 5/14/08 |
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Yuan
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As the next generation of Chinese SSG, the first boat of this class (330? Type 039A) was launched on May 31, 2004 at Wuhan Shipyard. Its design appears
to have drawn some features from both 039G and Kilo. The submarine has a 039G style sail with
diving planes. However a raised "hump" on top of the teardrop shaped hull clearly suggests a Kilo
influence. Its displacement has been estimated to be 3,600t dived. In addition to a diesel engine, an AIP
system based on Stirling engine technology is thought to have been fitted to extend its endurance while being
submerged. Integrated with advanced noise reduction techniques including anechoic tiles, passive/active
noise reduction, asymmetrical seven-blade skewed propeller, 039A is expected to be as quiet as other modern
diesel/electric powered submarines therefore much difficult to be tracked. Like 039G, 039A is also capable
of launching YJ-82 AShMs, besides 533mm wire-guided torpedos (Yu-6) from 6 forward tubes at the stern. The
emergence of 039A in such a short period of time after the starting of series production of Song
class SSG came to a surprise to the US intelligence community and a Yuan designation was quickly
assigned by the Pentagon. Together with Type 093, Song and Kilo class submaines, Yuan
class could pose a credible force to counter US and Taiwanese naval forces. The first 039A completed the
sea trial in 2005. The delay in the construction of the 2nd Yuan class suggested that the design had
suffered certain technical problems. The construction of Yuan class resumed probably in 2006 and two
boats were built in 2007 as Type 039B. The first 039B (331?) compeleted her sea
trial and entered the service. This new boat has been installed with flank sonar arrays. The third 039B was seen arriving in Shanghai in May 2008.
- Last Updated 4/29/09 |
