Submarine service of the People's Liberation Army Navy
Flag of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
The People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force (PLANSF) is the submarine service of the People's Liberation Army Navy. It consists of all types of submarines in operational service organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Sea Fleet, and the South Sea Fleet. Submarines have long been one of the three focuses of the People's Liberation Army Navy (the other two are aircraft and major surface combatants), and when the decision was made in late 2006 to concentrate on building other principal surface combatants to strengthen the air defense and to further delay the construction of aircraft carriers due to insufficient air cover, submarines will continue to play the lead dominant role in the assault force for the PLAN. Currently, PLANSF operates a fleet of 66 submarines which include nuclear as well as conventional submarines.[1]
China's first ballistic missile submarine, Type 092 submarine (Xia-class), was laid down in 1978, launched in 1981 and commissioned by 1983. Its primary weapon is the JL-1 SLBM, with 12 launch tubes, as well as six 533mm tubes for self-defense. The JL-1 missile was not ready until the first successful test launch of the missile from the Xia in 1988. Previous launch attempts from 1985 had failed. The missile's short range only permits the 092 to launch its missiles against regional targets. Striking targets far away require the submarine to travel dangerously closer to enemy waters. The Xia has since undergone a major modernisation refit, with a new black-coated paint and possibly other improvements with unofficial reports indicating the Xia is now carrying an improved missile, the JL-1A that is alleged to have longer range.
The Type 094 submarine (Jin-class) is believed to have been influenced by Russian assistance. It features 12 launch tubes for the longer ranged JL-2 missile, which has an 8,000km range that can carry 3 to 4 MIRVs. The 094 would be permitted to patrol nearer Chinese waters, with the ability to launch its missiles against continental US targets.[2]
Nuclear-powered fleet submarines
Type 093 (Shang-class)
China was the first Asian country and the 5th globally to successfully design, build and commission a nuclear-powered submarine. The PLAN currently has two types of nuclear-powered attack submarines in service with another in development:
Type 093 submarine(NATO designation Shang-class) - 6 in service, 2 under construction.
Type 091 submarine(NATO designation Han-class) - 3 in service, 2 retired.
Development
Nuclear submarines have been envisaged in the PLAN since the 1950s. Despite ambition and a long history of development, the acquisition of nuclear submarines has been a difficult and time-consuming process. The Cultural Revolution greatly disrupted nuclear submarine development[citation needed]. The Sino-Soviet split prevented any Soviet assistance in nuclear propulsion, and these propulsion problems have been troublesome to this day.
The first Chinese nuclear-powered submarine was laid down in 1967 but not completed until 1974, the Type 091 submarine (Han-class). The Han-class experienced more than 20 years of development, with the last of the class not being commissioned until 1990. Since their commission the class has gone through major upgrades and numerous refits with the remaining boats having been greatly refitted with new sonars and anechoic tiles (which reduce noise levels). The Han-class has mostly operated in local waters, but since the 1990s, they have been used more aggressively. A Han-class shadowed a US carrier battle group in the mid-1990s, and more recently, operated around Japanese waters, prompting a Japanese task force to chase the submarine out of its territory. The Han-class submarines are far from being as capable or effective as their American Los Angeles-class counterparts, but with recent improvements they can pose a great threat by operating deep in the Western Pacific and attacking targets that are less well-protected by ASW coverage. Two of this class have been retired - the Changzheng 01 (hull no.401) in 2000 and the Changzheng 02 (hull no.402) in 2005.
A new class of submarine has been in development since the 1980s, when the PLAN first sought a replacement for the Han-class. Little information has emerged about the Type 093 submarine (Shang—class), but it is believed to have some Russian influence. The 093 design may be comparable to the Russian Victor III-class, signifying a significant step forward for Chinese nuclear attack submarines. The 093 has been the focus of much attention from US and Asian military analysts. Its improved capabilities will undoubtedly increase PLAN power in the region and its ability to carry war to the West Pacific. Such submarines can escort future ballistic missile submarines as well as attacking US Navy carrier battle groups in the deep ocean. Six Type 093 submarines are in service with two more under construction.[3]
China is constructing a major underground nuclearsubmarine base near Sanya, Hainan.[4]The Daily Telegraph in 2008 reported that tunnels were being built into hillsides which could be capable of hiding up to 20 nuclear submarines from spy satellites.[5][6]
The Zhou-class submarine is a new class of fleet or attack submarines. The first images of the Zhou-class appeared in April 2022, in drydock at Huludao Port. The Zhou-class submarine was notably longer than the Type 093 or Type 094,[7] although reporters from Reuters stated it was unclear whether the class represented a new model, or an upgrade of an existing class.[8] While other analysts disputed claims of the submarine being nuclear powered, instead claiming translation errors and assumptions, and that the submarine is more likely conventionally powered.[9] So far, it appears that only one submarine in the class has been built, which in September 2024, was revealed by aerial photographs to have allegedly sunk in May or June while under construction.[10][11]
Submarine warfare is regarded as a vital part of PLAN's coastal defense doctrine. Large numbers of conventional powered submarines have therefore been constructed and commissioned, and this force makes up the bulk of the PLAN's submarines. The PLAN currently operates four different classes of conventional submarines:
The first class of conventionally powered submarine to be operated by the PLAN was the Soviet Whiskey-class. The Whiskey was imported from the Soviet Union and subsequently built in considerable numbers and served until the last few remaining boats were removed during the mid-1990s. The second type to be operated also owed its origins to the Soviet Union, the Romeo-class, they were built under licence in China as the Type 033 submarine. Production of this submarine took place from the late 1960s until the late 1980s. The Type 033 went on to form the backbone of the PLAN submarine forces, and has been estimated that more than 100 may have been produced for the PLAN and for export. By the late 1990s, a large number of 033s had been retired from active duty and pulled into reserves. A handful of upgraded hulls remained in service until the late 2000s for training and other limited purposes.
The Type 035 submarine (Ming-class), first commissioned in 1974, is based on the Type 033. It could be considered as China's first indigenously designed submarine, despite its similarities to the Romeo-class. A total of 21 were built, but many of the initial hulls didn't perform well and were subsequently scrapped. At least 17 hulls are still in service, with later hulls using modern sonar systems, including the French DUUX-5. The later hulls of the Ming-class may have been employed for testing Air-independent propulsion (AIP), which would significantly reduce the noise level of the submarine. Mings have reportedly been exercising more frequently since the mid-2000s and making recent incursions into Japanese waters. On one occasion a Ming surfaced briefly within Japanese waters before submerging again.
The PLAN in the 1990s sought to acquire a modern conventional submarine with emphasis on sensors, weaponry, and modern capabilities to engage enemy submarines in modern warfare. In 1994 it ordered two Kilo-class 877EKM type submarines from Russia, which were delivered by 1995.
Russian-built Kilo-class in Chinese service
In 1996, two improved Kilo-class 636 submarines were ordered, delivered between 1997 and 1998. In 2002, a $2 billion deal was signed for eight more Kilo-class 636, these submarines particularly fitted with the capability of launching the Russian Novator 3M-54E Klub S cruise missile capable of engaging land and sea targets at 220km. The Kilo class represents a huge leap forward in the PLAN submarine fleet. Originally a Soviet design in the 1980s, the Kilo-class was meant to be one of the world's quietest class of submarines. With 12 Kilos operational by 2006, it is unclear whether PLAN will buy more of these potent vessels.
Despite the purchase of the Kilo-class, the PLAN has continued to develop indigenous designs. The Type 039 submarine (Song-class) was first launched in 1994 with sea trials in 1995. It featured Western influences with a German propulsion system, seven blade skewed propeller and noise-reduction rubber tiles; however, the first hull retained the traditional stepped sail. The first hull was not fully operational until 1999. As a result of the sea trials a significantly modified designs emerged, with a number of improvements, including a conventional sail. By 2006 about 13 hulls have been confirmed to be built so far, indicating the class has performed satisfactorily. The Song-class presents a major milestone to indigenous submarine designs, being comparable in capabilities to contemporary Western submarines. Song submarines are armed with torpedoes and a sub-launched variant of the YJ-8 anti-ship missile. An AIP system may be installed in the future.
The Type 039A submarine (Yuan-class) is the latest of China's indigenous submarine.
A Yuan-class submarine visited by USN at the Zhoushan Naval Base in 2011
The hull seems to resemble Russian influences (as it is similar to the Kilo) while also adapting features found on the Type 039. The Yuan-class is likely fitted with an AIP system to achieve maximum silent operational capabilities and can be armed with advanced Russian and Chinese torpedoes and cruise missiles. The Yuan-class came as a surprise to US military intelligence, as the submarine's existence was entirely unknown until internet images emerged. This class of submarine is expected to have capabilities which surpass the Kilo and Song-classes considerably. Series production began late in 2007, with at least 17 boats identified so far and up to 3 more under construction.
At the beginning of 2014, the PLAN held an emergency combat readiness test.[12] The captain of the 32nd Submarine Detachment Wang Hongli was ordered to take the Kilo-class submarine Yuanzheng 72 (hull number: 372) on a combat readiness voyage. Submarine 372 suddenly encountered a "cliff" caused by a sudden change in seawater density. Because the seawater density suddenly decreased, the submarine lost its buoyancy and rapidly dropped to the seabed more than 3,000 meters deep. The pressure on the submarine increased sharply, and the main engine room pipeline was damaged and water entered. Wang Hongli quickly issued a series of commands, and the commanders and crew accurately completed dozens of operations, successfully surfacing the submarine in 3 minutes, avoiding the tragedy of the submarine being destroyed and people dying. Submarine 372 lost power due to a large amount of water entering the main engine room. Wang Hongli led the officers and soldiers to eliminate the equipment failure. Finally, only one navigation motor was used to power the submarine and it entered the ocean. This voyage created many firsts in the history of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy submarines. [13][14]。
The PLA Navy declared it a miracle in the history of world submarines.[15]
On August 27, 2014, Chairman of the Central Military CommissionXi Jinping signed a general order to award the First Class Merit to Wang Hongli, commander of the 92474th Unit.[16] On September 2, 2014, a celebration meeting was held in the auditorium of a submarine detachment of the South China Sea Fleet to celebrate the first-class merit awarded by the Central Military Commission to Wang Hongli and the Navy to 372 submarines. Member of the Central Military Commission and Commander of the Navy Wu Shengli read out the orders of the Central Military Commission and the Navy, and awarded medals and certificates to Wang Hongli and 372 submarines respectively.[17]
The Naval Vessels Naming Regulation prescribes the following prefixes for submarines under PLANSF.[18]
Ship
Named after
Nuclear submarines
Changzheng (Chinese:长征; pinyin:Chángzhēng; lit.'Long March') followed by a serial number[18]
Ballistic and cruise missile armed conventional submarines
Yuanzheng (Chinese:远征; pinyin:Yuǎnzhēng; lit.'Expedition') followed by a serial number[18]
Conventional submarines
Changcheng (Chinese:长城; pinyin:Chángchēng; lit.'Great Wall') followed by a serial number[18]
Submarine bases
China has a number of dedicated submarine bases, some of which have underground facilities accessed via tunnels.[19] The following bases have been confirmed through Google Earth imagery:[20]
The United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use a hull classification symbol to identify their ships by type and by individual ship within a type. The system is analogous to the pennant number system that the Royal Navy and other European and Commonwealth navies use.
The People's Liberation Army Navy, also known as the People's Navy, PLA Navy or simply Chinese Navy, is the naval warfare branch of the People's Liberation Army, the national military of the People's Republic of China. It is composed of five sub-branches: the Surface Force, the Submarine Force, the Coastal Defense Force, the Marine Corps and the Naval Air Force, with a total strength of 350,000 personnel, including 70,000 marines and 30,000 naval aviation personnel. The PLAN's combat units are deployed among three theater command fleets, namely the North Sea, East Sea and South Sea Fleet, which serve the Northern, Eastern and Southern Theater Command, respectively.
A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. These submarines became a major weapon system in the Cold War because of their nuclear deterrence capability. They can fire missiles thousands of kilometers from their targets, and acoustic quieting makes them difficult to detect, thus making them a survivable deterrent in the event of a first strike and a key element of the mutual assured destruction policy of nuclear deterrence. The deployment of ballistic missile submarines is dominated by the United States and Russia. In fact, 70% of nuclear warheads in the USA are carried by ballistic missile submarines.
An attack submarine or hunter-killer submarine is a submarine specifically designed for the purpose of attacking and sinking other submarines, surface combatants and merchant vessels. In the Soviet and Russian navies they were and are called "multi-purpose submarines". They are also used to protect friendly surface combatants and missile submarines. Some attack subs are also armed with cruise missiles, increasing the scope of their potential missions to include land targets.
A cruise missile submarine is a submarine that carries and launches cruise missiles as its primary armament. Missiles greatly enhance a warship's ability to attack surface combatants and strike land targets; although torpedoes are a more discreet option for submerged submarines, missiles give a much longer stand-off range, shorter time to impact the target, as well as the ability to engage multiple targets on different headings at the same time. Many cruise missile submarines retain the capability to deploy nuclear warheads on their missiles, but they are considered distinct from ballistic missile submarines due to the substantial differences between the two weapons systems' flight characteristics; cruise missiles fly aerodynamically using flight surfaces like wings or fins, while a ballistic missile uses its engine power alone as it may exit the atmosphere.
A nuclear submarine is a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily nuclear-armed. In the US classification, nuclear-powered submarines are designated as SSxN, where the SS denotes submarine, x=G means that the submarine is equipped with guided missiles, x=B means that the submarine is equipped with ballistic missiles and the N means that the submarine is nuclear-powered. SSN refers to nuclear-powered attack submarines, which do not carry missiles.
The Kilo-class submarines are a group of diesel-electric attack submarines designed by the Rubin Design Bureau in the Soviet Union in the 1970s and built originally for the Soviet Navy.
The Type 092 submarine is the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deployed by the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force. Changzheng 6 is the only publicly known boat of its class.
The Type 091 is a first-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine produced by China. It was the People Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) first nuclear submarine, and the first indigenously produced nuclear attack submarine in Asia.
An SSN is a nuclear-powered general-purpose attack submarine. SSN is the US Navy hull classification symbol for such vessels; the SS denotes a submarine and the N denotes nuclear power. The designation SSN is used for interoperability throughout NATO under STANAG 1166, though navies use other terms.
The Type 094 is a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force. The Type 094 succeeds the Type 092 submarine and precedes the Type 096 submarine, which is under development.
The Type 039 submarine is a class of diesel-electric submarines of the People's Liberation Army Navy. The class is the first diesel-electric submarine to be made in China and also the first Chinese made diesel-electric submarine to use the teardrop hull shape. Altogether thirteen vessels were completed to the Song Class design between 1999 and 2006, with three variants as the type developed.
The Type 039A submarine is a class of diesel-electric submarine in China's People's Liberation Army Navy. It is China's first AIP powered submarine. The Yuan class is the successor of the Song class submarine. The class is designed to replace the aging Type 033 and the older Type 035 submarines that previously formed the backbone of the conventional submarine force. The Yuan class is armed with wired-guided and wake-homing torpedoes, long-range land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, and naval mines.
The People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force is the surface warfare branch of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), consisting of all surface vessels in operational service with the PLAN. The PLAN Surface Force operates 661 ships organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Sea Fleet and the South Sea Fleet.
The Type 037 corvette is a series 400–500 ton corvette type classes in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy. Unlike western navies, the People's Liberation Army Navy does not have dedicated patrol boats in its inventory. Instead, a large variety of corvette type classes, in the form of missile boats and submarine chasers fulfill the tasks of patrolling China's territorial waters. The Egyptian Navy operates eight vessels.
The Type 093 submarine is a class of nuclear-powered attack submarines constructed by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The Sovremenny class, Soviet designation Project 956 Sarych (buzzard), is a class of anti-ship and anti-aircraft guided-missile destroyers of the Soviet and later Russian Navy. The ships are named after qualities, with "Sovremenny" translating as "modern" or "contemporary". Most of the ships have been retired from active service and one converted into a museum ship in 2018; as of 2021 three remain in commission with the Russian Navy with several in overhaul. Four modified ships were delivered to the People's Liberation Army Navy, and remain in service.
The Type 041 is a class of attack submarines under development by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force (PLANSF).
1 2 3 4 Liu, Wenhui; Liu, Sicong (11 August 2011). "中国海军舰艇命名由来及规律"[Origins and Patterns of the naming of Chinese Naval Vessels]. People's Daily. Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
* = Under construction or procurement, CG= Classified as guided missile cruiser by NATO, FF= Classified as light frigate by PLAN
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