Type
Diesel-electric guided missile submarine.
Development
The modernisation of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) conventional submarine force over the past decade has been based on a twin-track approach that has seen the acquisition of a dozen Russian-built Kilo boats running in parallel with the production of the indigenous Type 039/039G Song class. These latter boats have incorporated Western technology including German diesels and French sonars, with the design resembling the French Agosta 90B in external shape.The first of class was launched from the Wuhan Shipyard in May 1994 and began sea trials in August of that year. As China's first new conventional submarine design for 23 years, this boat was subject to an extensive programme of trials before finally entering service in 1999. These revealed substantial shortfalls, most notably excessive flow noise which saw the design substantially modified to an improved Type 039G standard. Three submarines were built at Wuhan to this design, and entered service between April 2001 and November 2003, before production switched to the definitive Type 039G1. As of late 2007, 13 boats had been commissioned. There were 11 built at Wuhan, with two constructed at the Jiangnan yard in Shanghai (the 11th and 13th boats). No further production is expected.The Song class is assessed by US intelligence sources as being similar in performance to a mid-80s-era Western diesel-electric submarine and difficult to detect when operating on its batteries.
| The complete article appears in the following publication: | |
|---|---|
| Publication Title | Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems |
| Publication date | Nov 19, 2010 |
| Section | Submarines - Submarine and submersible designs |
| Publication synopsis | Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems helps track major technological and force developments, vital for assessing military capability and developing defensive systems. You will find the very latest in communications and sonar systems, escape and rescue systems and unmanned vehicles, available or under development, for evaluation and comparison. In-depth coverage is provided on underwater weapons, equipment and related systems currently in service or offered on the market. Details on system components, specifications and manufacturers will also help you assess market opportunities and competitors. In addition to the latest strategic intelligence on force developments and equipment analysis, you will find information on research and development organisations worldwide, allowing you to track underwater research. |
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