China’s Submarine Fleet, Evolution & news

[mb444]

http://www.janes.com/article/66691/china-resumes-production-of-yuan-class-submarines

View attachment 366367
Images posted on Chinese online forums in December show three new Yuan-class (Type 039B) patrol submarines being fitted out in the water at the Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan, central China: a clear indication that China has resumed production of these diesel-electric boats after a near-three-year hiatus.

The latest of the three submarines appears to have been launched around 12 December, according to online forums.

The initial variant of the Yuan class (Type 039A) entered service in 2006. Overall length is 77 m with a beam of 8.4 m, displacing around 2,700 tonnes when on the surface and 3,600 tonnes when dived, according to IHS Jane's Fighting Ships.

Equipped with six 533 mm (21 inch) torpedo tubes, weapon loads are likely to be a mix of anti-ship missiles, such as the YJ-82, and heavyweight torpedoes, such as the Yu-6.

Although not officially confirmed, most sources believe that the Yuan class has a conventional diesel-electric configuration supplemented with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system.

The performance of the AIP is unknown but it should be expected to extend the interval between when the submarine has to run the diesel engines to charge the batteries from hours to days. This will enable it to maintain a minimal noise signature and thus makes it more difficult to detect.

The hulls of the Yuan class are clad with anechoic tiles, to minimise any return echoes when pinged by active sonars.

Establishing an accurate picture of the number of submarines built for China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) presents some difficulties. The PLAN is more secretive about its submarine force than about other platforms and the absence of pennant numbers in most photographs makes identification and monitoring the build/disposal programme susceptible to errors.

Most sources agree, however, that the first four Yuan-class submarines were of the same design (Type 039A) and entered service between 2006 and 2010.

Excellent.... I am sure Bangladesh Navy is already having talks for atleast 2 of these as we bed in the new submarine arm of BN with the mings recently delivered.

 

[Salty_Waters]

Is there evidence that the 093B has pump jet propulsion?

As far as I know 093B has no pump jet. But for sure it is the next logic step to equip 093B with it. It would be interesting to see at leat a testbed for pump jet. In 2010 there where artist impressions of type 032-class with pump jet, but when they launched, it had a conventional propeller. I really like to know how much effort they made with pj so far.

 

[grey boy 2]

094A SSBN

 

[grey boy 2]

More on the 094A SSBN

 

[52051]

The second type 095 SSN is under construction now:

http://lt.cjdby.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2350913&extra=page=1

 

[Akasa]

The second type 095 SSN is under construction now:

http://lt.cjdby.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2350913&extra=page=1

How do we know this isn't another 093B? Is the poster credible?

 

[52051]

How do we know this isn't another 093B? Is the poster credible?

Quite, and his words is consistent with the Governor of Liaoning Province (who is happen to be the general manager of China ship industry corp. before become Governor of Liaoning)'s speech regarding 4th generation SSN under construction in Liaoning years ago.

 

[Akasa]

Quite, and his words is consistent with the Governor of Liaoning Province (who is happen to be the general manager of China ship industry corp. before become Governor of Liaoning)'s speech regarding 4th generation SSN under construction in Liaoning years ago.

Interesting... what other "predictions" has he made? The reason for my skepticism is that the new facility for SSN construction is not yet operational (as per satellite images).

 

[52051]

Interesting... what other "predictions" has he made? The reason for my skepticism is that the new facility for SSN construction is not yet operational (as per satellite images).

When is the last time you saw China's nuclear powered submarines underconstruction?

They have inhouse dock for SSN/SSBN since decades ago, not to mention the new facility (which should be the world largest one) for building SSN/SSBNs.

 

[帅的一匹]

It said China already produced steel reeling machine max for 13 meters, which means we can massively produce type 096.

10 type 096 is enough deterrent for USA's nuclear blackmail.

 

[Han Patriot]

Things are getting interesting, the US can't match Chinese mass production. If we can fix the technology and type, we can out produce the states. Their overhead cost are just too prohibitive for mass production.

 

[Deino]

It said China already produced steel reeling machine max for 13 meters, which means we can massively produce type 096.

10 type 096 is enough deterrent for USA's nuclear blackmail.

Can we at first wait for the Type 095 before we start dreaming on the Type 096 ??

 

[Han Patriot]

Can we at first wait for the Type 095 before we start dreaming on the Type 096 ??

Deino, 096 and 095 will happen concurrently. It's like 093 and 094, one ssn n one ssbn

 

[Deino]

Thanks ! I thought the 095 is also an SSBN

 

[Salty_Waters]

Things are getting interesting, the US can't match Chinese mass production. If we can fix the technology and type, we can out produce the states. Their overhead cost are just too prohibitive for mass production.

It is not about mass production. And it is not about the overhead. Once a specific demanding technology comes into play, the production and the utilization of that technology becomes expensive. As long as simple educated low ranked personell is able to handle the ship and and the production, China can outmass the high tech navies. But when sophisticated technology comes into play, China applies the same rules. One more problem, China is doing it in a way to fast time.

For example. Simple diesel engines late 80ies style needed some hands to put on and some good old technicans that are used to mechanical tools. Thats the average cost job. The new engines, are connected to computers, stuffed with sensors and all that high tech stuff. What do they need to get maintained? not that simpe mechanics, you need mechatronic experts. Maintenance has become an expensive part.

Sophisticated technology is well known, and the price to pay, western navies are aware of. The big question is, will china go that way? Can China go the technological step, and keep the costs low? I have my doubts.