Known as the Yuan-class in the NATO reporting system, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been busy building attack submarines in recent years. These large-sized conventional submarines look a lot like the Russian Kilo-class. They are designed to operate in deep water areas in near-seas. They are also very effective anti-ship cruise weapon platforms.
Three types of Yuan-class submarines are available. Each type has a different sail design. They are the Type 039A and Type 039C, respectively. The first version was built at Wuhan Shipyard and was exhibited at the China Naval Modernization report to the United States Congress in 2005. Rumours abound that the second Yuan may be in construction. These vessels will join the fleet of PLAN by 2028.
According to the Chinese-language Internet, the new Yuan has an overall length of 77.2 meters. The beam is larger than that of the Song class. The new boats feature an optronic mast, periscopes and other features that are more efficient than rubber tiles.
The Type-035 Ming Class submarines had their fore casing modified by a chined sail in 2010. A towed array sonar is also installed by the Chinese Navy on its vessels. The Yuan-class is expected to be equipped with longer-range antisubmarine missiles.
The Yuanclass was recently evaluated by the US Naval Institute as an antiship cruise missile platform. The submarines' capability to operate in deep and near-seas water were also evaluated. They determined that the submarine's AIP could keep it underwater for up to two week. They also found that the submarine could carry small missiles out. The C-802 long-range cruise missile, which can travel up to 180 km, is fitted to the submarine.
Holst misunderstoodly concluded that Yuan's-class submarines carried C-802 ASCM. Holst claims that these submarines were made with this weapon. However US intelligence has required that any submarine carrying a missile carry dedicated launchers. It is believed that the Yuan class has at least two air-independent propeller (AIP), systems. This means that there are no separate oxygen supplies for the submarine. AIP systems can also be used to allow modern SSKs to remain submerged for up four weeks.
Chinese Navy is also known for its long history of building sub-satellite submarines. China has built 13 Type 039 subs and at least four more are expected to be completed by 2023. China's Type 039A first submarine was built in 2005. It was constructed at Wuhan Shipyard, and successfully completed sea trials in 2006. The information on the other variants is still not available.
China's Yuan-class submarines had been exported to Thailand (Pakistan) and Myanmar (as of July 2010). China has also announced plans to purchase eight more submarines for use in its own navy. The Chinese Navy is expected to have at least 25 Yuan-class submarines in service by 2025.