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China’s Submarine Fleet, Evolution & news


There is an article about it on thedrive.


New Chinese Diesel-Electric Submarine Breaks Cover​


The latest Chinese submarine design to emerge remains enigmatic but seems to utilize a notably small hull.​


By Thomas Newdick February 8, 2022
Another new and previously unknown Chinese submarine design has appeared, continuing the country’s prodigious naval shipbuilding program. The emergence of this submarine comes after a new subclass of a conventionally-powered type broke cover last year and the reveal of a highly intriguing “sail-less” design three years before that, though there are no clear indications one way or another that any of these are directly related to each other.

Video showing the new Chinese submarine underway, apparently taken during early tests, appeared earlier today on social media. The submarine is a relatively small design, likely significantly smaller than the Type 039 Yuan class, several iterations of which have already appeared. H. I. Sutton, an author and an expert on submarine warfare, estimates that the new submarine is around 160 feet long, compared to a little over 250 feet for the Type 039A.
Sutton has suggested that the size of the new Chinese submarine design might point to a relationship of some kind to the mysterious sail-less type that first appeared in 2018. Based on satellite imagery, that earlier design has been assessed as being around 150 feet long, much closer to this new boat. Sutton believes the new design likely features a single hull, which would be another parallel with the still-unnamed sail-less type, while the Type 039 features a double hull.

Of course, the presence of a sail signals a major diversion from the sail-less design, and the sail is itself noteworthy. Blending smoothly into the hull, its configuration is broadly reminiscent of those found on the German Type 212 and Type 214 designs, among others developed around the world, but which has not been seen so far on Chinese submarines. However, such a shape has previously appeared on some Chinese submarine models, including the MS200 midget submarine, S600 small patrol submarine, and the larger S1100 design, all from the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, or CSIC. So far, however, there is no indication that the new design is necessarily a CSIC product.


China is also believed to be working on even more advanced propulsion technologies, including lithium-ion batteries of the type used in Japan’s latest Soryu class submarines. Compared even to some AIP configurations, these offer a number of advantages, including increased endurance at high speeds when submerged, quicker charging and longer battery life, and reduced maintenance requirements. Running on pure battery power is also the quietest option available. There has been speculation that the Type 039C may use lithium batteries, perhaps as a testbed for these and other advanced technologies that may then find their way onto production submarines.
 
Yes, I know China is building 096s, and the photos of new huge sub assembly line buildings a couple of years ago clearly indicated that a ramped up production rate than 094 is likely. This is the right thing to do - have absolutely power to wipe any country off the planet a couple of times, is the only equilibrium to balance out the war mongering country of you know who, as well as all their other lapdogs, to even contemplating the idea of starting a war with China.
ASW attack subs like the next gen 095 and ASW planes
Well said! But no worry, PLARF already has no less than 294 megatons of thermonuclear firepower decades ago, enough to annihilate all enemy countries, by now I guess PLARF stockpile should be close to 700~800 megatons with induction of DF-5B, 31AG, 41 & CJ-100 etc.

However future wars will be decided at the seas, hence #1 priority of PLAN investment in coming years (in conjunction with PLASSF's space & EW combat units) would be her strategic capabilities, both defensive and offensive aka second strike. Strategic defense will be centered on a network of 055 DDG acting as forward deployed ballistic sensor + mid course interceptor (& ASAT), and offensive on 094/096 SSBN with JL-2/3 sub-launched ICBM.

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When it comes to ASW, PLAN's current package of 056A + Y-9ASW + 039B + UAV is impeccable in littoral waters against enemy subs or underwater SOF. The challenge will be in open seas and so both 054A FFG and 093/095 SSN will be required in large numbers.
 
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Iran would love this new midget submarine. There are some parts of sea area where only this type of midget sub can access.
 
How many anti ship missiles can the Yuan class submarine carry?
 
How many anti ship missiles can the Yuan class submarine carry?
That will depend on your mission configuration. But given the size of Yuan, I am not surprised if it can carry 24 torpedoes.

Btw, new news regard RTN submariner development. China offer 2 refurbished Song to RTN, most likely only refurbished fee are needed. They will be good enough for training or backup in combat mission. 7 skewed blade, and most modern outlook designed. They are far better than Ming 035G sold to Myanmar and Bangladesh.

 
Looks like they are testing MS-200, an export-oriented small sub for littoral/SOF warfare, first revealed in Bangkok 2017.


These would be a perfect choice for Bangladesh Navy for patrolling its shallow bay of bengal territorial waters.
 
These would be a perfect choice for Bangladesh Navy for patrolling its shallow bay of bengal territorial waters.
Indeed. While the 039 Yuan is really big (3600 tons, second only to Sōryū class), these smaller subs could be useful in shallow waters or archipelago. Also less demanding on manpower, say the smallest MS-200, displacing 200 tons with two torpedo tubes, it only needs 6 crew to operate, and can carry 8 SOF commando.

The S-600 and S-1100 in the series are bigger while still good for littoral warfare.
 
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Indeed. While the 039 Yuan is really big (3600 tons, second only to Sōryū class), these smaller subs could be useful in shallow waters or archipelago. Also less demanding on manpower, say the smallest MS-200 only needs 6 crew to operate, and can carry 8 SOF commando.

Since they are cheaper and smaller, a whole swarm of them could be deployed at once. Would be nightmare for any enemy to try track down all those subs.

What kind of armament is availible on these midget subs? Any cruise missiles? AsBM or LACMs?
 
Since they are cheaper and smaller, a whole swarm of them could be deployed at once. Would be nightmare for any enemy to try track down all those subs.

What kind of armament is availible on these midget subs? Any cruise missiles? AsBM or LACMs?
For the MS-200, there are two torpedo tubes, and four on S-600. I believe these two subs can fire light weight torpedo, but not BM or CM. They are for missions like recon, surveillance, special op infiltration, patrol.

For the S-1100 there are four torpedo tubes, standard 533mm, they can fire both heavy weight torpedo and CM. Not BM.
 
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A mixture of MS200 and S-1100 would be excellent. For BD lets say 20-50 piece MS200 + 6-10 S-1100 would be a reasonbly deterence.

 

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A mixture of MS200 and S-1100 would be excellent. For BD lets say 20-50 piece MS200 + 6-10 S-1100 would be a reasonbly deterence.

Yes it is. The new sub designs are highly automatic, even the biggest S-1100 only takes 18 crew to operate, very human resources friendly.
 
Small, unmanned, silent, South China Sea.
Maybe in the future US nuclear submarines will often hit "seamounts"
 
Small, unmanned, silent, South China Sea.
Maybe in the future US nuclear submarines will often hit "seamounts"
Not sure about this "accident", but enemy subs may get rammed by some unmanned subject again in the future, if not torpedo. I guess this is how such ramming works:
  1. Guanlan Marine Guard observed the approximate position and depth of enemy sub, sent the data to the Super Measurement Center in Jinan
  2. Type 056 or 927 (underwater acoustic detection ship) dispatched for accurate tracking
  3. Y9-ASW use sonic bombs to drive enemy sub towards kill zone of the AI controlled robotic HSU-001 unmanned submarine (or a torpedo with kinetic warhead).

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