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CNS Type 039A (Yuan)

2006 MODERN NAVY

History

Modern China is firmly rooted in the design, development and - most importantly - production of various weapon types for domestic and foreign procurement. This is the case with the Type 039A (Yuan-class), a modern diesel-electric attack submarine sold to the Thai and Pakistani navies, while also being adopted by the People's Liberation Army Navy.

The class planned to build about 20 ships, of which 15 have been completed and put into service. The first ship was commissioned in 2006.

This class is also known as the Type 041 because it is basically a completely new design with the exception of the earlier Type 039 (Song class) boats described elsewhere on this site.

A locally developed diesel-electric propulsion system uses a pair of diesel turbines for surface propulsion and a battery pack for underwater operation. The combined system propels power to a single shaft at the stern, propelling the boat to a speed of 20 knots underwater. The hull can reach a depth of 400 meters.

The class is said to incorporate a range of noise reduction systems and inherent construction techniques to provide a small acoustic footprint.

Externally, the boat takes the form of a classic submarine with a foresail, a streamlined hull, and a cruciform plane arrangement at the rear. Internally, the ships consisted of 38 men. Its relatively compact design allows operations close to shore and serves as a defensive platform for invading enemy ships.

However, these vessels also retain suitability for deep sea use.

The ships are equipped with 6 x 533 mm (21 in) bow-mounted torpedo tubes, which can also fire anti-ship/cruise missiles and disperse mines to block ports and strategic passages. State-of-the-art battlefield management systems (BMS) are installed on these ships.

The Type 093A boat is the original production model. The successor 039AG has an improved conning tower (sail) that can contain additional sensor equipment.

The Type 039B has a side-mounted sonar array, and the Type 039B represents an improved form of attack with an improved conning tower and additional sensors.