Like Russia, the Chinese submarine fleet consists of nuclear-powered ships and conventionally powered models. Although significantly less efficient, particularly on the high seas, the latter nevertheless prove to be much more economical to produce, and do not require a nuclear unit to train their crew.
For Russia, these conventional submarines are mainly used in coastal areas, and in certain narrow seas, such as the Baltic Sea or the Black Sea. The Chinese Navy deploys them mainly in the South China Sea, to protect access, and thus ensure the security of the nuclear ballistic missile submarines, which operate there, and of large naval units, such as the carriers. -planes, which train there.
The latest model of Chinese conventionally powered submarines, the Type 039C, entered service only two years ago. In fact, the observation made a few weeks ago of a new model of submarine, launched by the Wuchang shipyards, is surprising. Especially since the new ship seems very different from the Type 039, and could represent the first unit of a new class of conventional submarines, with ocean capabilities.
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Chinese submarine production is evolving at full speed
The Chinese Navy has admitted into service over the past 20 years no less than 36 new submarines, almost two each year. Among them, 23 are modern conventional propulsion models Type 039/G Song class, and Type 039A/B Yuan class, vessels recognized for being efficient and discreet, notably equipped with a Stirling-type anaerobic AIP system, which extends diving autonomy.
In 2020, a new version of the Yuan class appeared. Named Type 039C, this one sports a redesigned diamond-shaped kiosk, like the new Swedish A26, which is supposed to reduce acoustic radiation in the face of active sonars, unless it is, another hypothesis put forward, a new system for deploying a sonar train.
Anyway, the first Type 039C only entered service in 2022, while at least two new copies have been launched since. We could, therefore, think that like the Type 039B, produced from 2011 to 2019, the new version of the Yuan would also be produced exclusively throughout the 2020 decade.
Apparently, this is not the case. Indeed, recent satellite photos of the Wuchang shipyards, the very ones which are building, as discreetly as possible, the new Chinese submarines, have shown a brand new model appearing from the end of June 2024, along the docks of the shipyard.
New submarine equipped with St. Andrew's cross appeared in satellite images of Wuchang shipyard
Longer by at least 7 meters than the Type 039B, the new submarine also seems more imposing, with a submerged tonnage which could exceed 4000 tonnes, compared to 3500 tonnes for the Yuan.
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