designeraccd
09-01-2011, 11:43
A new class of submarine was launched in WuChang shipyard near the end of last year. There have been some discussions on this blog regarding to this new class when the lead boat first came out. Here is probably the most up close and detailed photo of this submarine.
Based on this photo and side by side comparisons with Yuan submarine, we can see that this is quite a large submarine (near the displacement of JMSDF Soryu class). It seems to be designed to operate further offshore than Song and Yuan class. I guess this is part of PLAN's move to operate further and longer away from the shore. In the next couple of years, we will find out more about this class and its purpose. I would think that if this is a successful design, it will follow the production path of Song and Yuan class. By sometimes late this decade, it is possible that PLAN submarine force will have moved on completely from 60s Soviet era designs. That would make submarine the first type of large weaponry in PLA to do so. I think this truly shows the emphasis that PLAN has placed on conventional submarine fleet.
Above info and photo from a Naval Blog. Now if only the USN was "smart" enough to see the wisdom of operating advanced non-nuke submarines; they do have some distinct advantages. Also, note two tubes showing above the waterline...DFO :(
Based on this photo and side by side comparisons with Yuan submarine, we can see that this is quite a large submarine (near the displacement of JMSDF Soryu class). It seems to be designed to operate further offshore than Song and Yuan class. I guess this is part of PLAN's move to operate further and longer away from the shore. In the next couple of years, we will find out more about this class and its purpose. I would think that if this is a successful design, it will follow the production path of Song and Yuan class. By sometimes late this decade, it is possible that PLAN submarine force will have moved on completely from 60s Soviet era designs. That would make submarine the first type of large weaponry in PLA to do so. I think this truly shows the emphasis that PLAN has placed on conventional submarine fleet.
Above info and photo from a Naval Blog. Now if only the USN was "smart" enough to see the wisdom of operating advanced non-nuke submarines; they do have some distinct advantages. Also, note two tubes showing above the waterline...DFO :(