Type 035 Ming Class
History:
At the end of World War II, the Soviets obtained several German Type XXIs, from which they were able to obtain certain key technologies. These technologies assisted in the design of the Zulu- and Whiskey-class. Further improvements on the design led to the Project 633 (NATO: Romeo), a class of Soviet diesel-electric submarine built in the 1950s. Under the 1950 Sino-Soviet Friendship and Mutual Assistance Treaty, the Soviets passed to China (and later to North Korea) the documentation necessary to produce Romeo submarines in 1963. The Chinese variant is known as the Type 033 Romeo. The Chinese Type 033 incorporated some improvements over the original Romeo, including noise reduction of 20 dB. Sonar on board was also continuously upgraded: the original Soviet sonar was first replaced by domestic Chinese Type 105 sonar, which consequently was replaced by H/SQ2-262A sonar built by No. 613 Factory.
A total of six Chinese Romeo class submarine variants were developed and built in China from 1962 to 1984.:
a) Type 6633 original Soviet Romeo with improved domestic Chinese batteries;
b) new Type 033s, with improved air conditioning and refrigeration capability;
c) ES5A upgraded Type 033 with replacement of equipment of Soviet origin with domestic Chinese systems, including QZHA―10 (Type 779) attack periscope, QDYA―10 (Type 778) general purpose periscope, more accurate Type 801 sonar, wider 15 degree sector scan H/SQZ-D reconnaissance sonar (with Type 105 transducers) and addition of H/SQG-2 ranging sonar, Type 063 communication systems, and countermeasure systems. Additional noise reduction measures were also adopted;
d) Type 33G, essentially ES5A with the incorporation of the capability to launch acoustic homing torpedoes; analog computers installed to achieve automation and speeding up of torpedo fire control calculations previously manually calculated. All Chinese Romeos were converted to this standard (NATO: Wuhan class);
e) Type 033G1, single Type 033G modified to carry 6 surface launched YJ-1 (CSS-N-4) anti-ship missiles (NATO: Wuhan A) and reduction of noise level by 12 dB; and
f) ES5B export version of thee 033G of which primary improvement is the ability to launch wire guided torpedoes and anti-ship missiles (AShM) while submerged. with noise reduction of 20 dB to 140 dB in comparison to the 160 dB of the original Soviet Project 633 submarines acquired by China.
The Type 035 is a heavily improved redesign of the older Type 033
Romeo-class submarine. The first pair of Type 035 boats were completed by 1974. Yet further improvements were necessary and by the early 1980s a new and improved version (Type 035A Ming) emerged and four boats were completed by 1990. During the 1990, 12 boats of the further improved Type 035G Ming were built and commissioned. Improvements were especially in terms of noise reduction, weapons, sensors and crew living standards. Two boats of the Type 035A were upgraded to same standard. The most modern design variant is the Type 035B Ming-class, which features a redesigned conning tower and portions of the hull, giving it a very similar appearance to the newer Type 039 submarines. The Type 035B, of which four boats were built and commissioned between 2000 and 2003, are capable of launching land attack cruise missile from their torpedo tubes.
Type 035: First two unit of the Ming class. The most significant difference relative to the Type 033 Wuhan class is the switch from twin shaft propulsion to single shaft propulsion. The second unit revealed many problems during trials, necessitating a major redesign,
Type 035A: The second batch of the Ming class submarines. The major redesign not only solved the problem discovered in the original 035, but also increased the top speed by 40% (to 18.3 kt). In December 1983, decision was made to stop the production of new Type 033 class boat and replace it with Type 035A.
ES5C: export version of Type 035/035A, with updated fire control system to launch acoustic homing torpedoes. This design was used to upgrade Type 035/035A fleet.
ES5D: further development of ES5C for export, with capability to launch AShM while submerged added. This design was used to upgrade Type 035/035A fleet.
Type 035G: This is the first Type 035 series to have anti-submarine (ASW) capability. The primary weaponry for Type 035G is Yu-3 torpedo. A French sonar (DUUX-5) and later its Chinese built equivalent version were used. The last unit with pennant number 308 was lengthened by 2 meters to add a section for AIP tests.
ES5E: export version developed from Type 035G, with ability to launch wire-guided torpedoes added.
Type 035ET: French sonar system and its equivalent Chinese version on ES5E export version of Ming replaced by a cheaper alternative, developed using Italian sonar systems, notably the JP-64 active sonar and Velox passive sonar of Toti-class submarine. This unit went into Chinese service
ES5F: export version with integrated sonar system that integrates previously separated active, passive ranging, flank (and towed upon customer's request) sonar into one.
Type 035B: Conning tower and certain portion of hull was redesigned, with new structure similar to that of Type 039 submarine. This type was capable of launching land attack cruise missile from torpedo tubes
Bangladesh Navy ordered two 'off the shelf' (i.e. pre-owned) Type-035G submarines from China in 2013, a deal worth $203 million. These boats underwent refitting and Bangladesh took delivery on 14th November, 2016 of its first Chinese submarines, S161 and S162 (ex-PLAN 356 and 357).
The Type 035G includes all improvements made on the original Type 035 in the 035A, ES5C and ES5D variant, and the improvement of 035 relative to 033. It is unclear where pre-delivery refit includes upgrading in the sense of installation of post-035G improvements such as found on ES5E, ES5F and 035B (exclusive structural changes).
Displacement: 2,110 tonnes (submerged)
Length: 76 m (249 ft)
Beam: 7.6 m (25 ft)
Draft: 5.1 m (17 ft)
Depth: 7.6 m (25 ft)
Propulsion: Type E390ZC-1 diesel engine, 5,200 horsepower
Speed: 18 knots (33 km/h) (submerged)
Test depth: 300 m (980 ft)
Crew: 57
Armament: 533 mm torpedo tubes
Agosta-70
The
Agosta–70 are in the active service with the Spanish Navy, Pakistan Navy. They were formerly in service with the French Navy. In 1977, Pakistan acquired two Agosta–70 class submarine from France that were originally designed for the South African Navy. They were deliverd 1978-79 and entered service 1979-1980. France employed 4, which enteres service 1977-1978. Spain built 4 locally, which entered service 1983-1985. The pair of Agosta-70 submarines significantly increased Pakistan’s maritime offensive defense capability due their enhanced endurance, long underwater detection ranges, over the horizon targeting capability and increased firepower. The linear towed array sonar has provided her the flexibility to classify contacts at extended ranges. They employ 533TT (F-17 HWT) wire- guided torpedoes, Harpoon USGW 2 missiles and can lay mines. The Agosta aubmarine was at the time the best conventional diesel-electric submarine.
Length 67.6m
Beam 6.8m
Draught 5.4m
Displacement surfaced 1450 tons
Displacement dived 1725 tons
Complement 8 Officers, 51 Sailors
Sensors Radar, ESM, Periscopes, Sonar Passive Towed Array
Displacement:
- 1,500 long tons (1,524 t) surfaced
- 1,760 long tons (1,788 t) submerged
Length: 67 m (219 ft 10 in)
Beam: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
Speed:
- 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced
- 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h; 23.6 mph) submerged
- 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) submerged (snort)
Test depth: 350 m (1,150 ft) (Pakistan)
Complement:
Sensors and processing systems:
- Thomson CSF DRUA 33 Radar
- Thomson Sintra DSUV 22
- DUUA 2D Sonar
- DUUA 1D Sonar
- DUUX 2 Sonar
- DSUV 62A towed array
Armament:
In the knowledge that it remains unclear what was done during the 035G refit, I venture a educated guess that Agosta 70 still is the better boat.
