The Yuan Class in NATO's NATO reporting system is China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which has been building attack submarines for many years. These large-sized conventional submarines look a lot like the Russian Kilo-class. They are designed for deep water operations in the shallows and at sea. They are also designed to be very effective anti-ship cruise missile platforms.
There are three types Yuan-class submarines. Each submarine has a different sail design. They are known by the Type 039A Type 039C Type 041. The first version was manufactured at Wuhan Shipyard. Rumours say that the second Yuan might be under construction. These vessels are expected to join the PLAN's fleet by 2028.
According to Chinese-language Internet, 77.2 meters is the overall length of the new Yuan. It is believed that it has a greater beam than the Song-class. The optronic masts and periscopes on the new boats are much more effective that the rubber tiles used in earlier vessels.
The Type-035 Ming Class submarines had their fore casing modified by a chined sail in 2010. A towed array sounder is also available on vessels of the Chinese Navy. The Yuan-class is expected to be equipped with longer-range antisubmarine missiles.
The Yuan-class was recently assessed by the US Naval Institute as an anti-ship cruise-missile platform. They also assessed the submarines’ ability to operate in deep waters and near-seas. They concluded that the submarine’s AIP system could keep it submerged for two weeks. The submarine also has a small missile loadout. The C-802 long-range cruise missile, which can travel up to 180 km, is fitted to the submarine.
In his essay, Holst incorrectly concluded that the Yuan-class submarines carried the C-802 ASCM. Holst claims that these submarines were made with this weapon. However US intelligence has required that any submarine carrying a missile carry dedicated launchers. It is believed that the Yuan class has at least two air-independent propeller (AIP), systems. This means that there are no separate oxygen supplies for the submarine. AIP systems can also be used to allow modern SSKs to remain submerged for up four weeks.
Chinese Navy also has a long track record of building submarines. Yuan-class, however, is only one of many additions to this fleet. In fact, China has already built thirteen Type 039 submarines, with at least four more expected by 2023. China's first Type 039A submarine was constructed in 2005. It was built at Wuhan Shipyard. The submarine completed sea trials during 2006. But, it is unknown if the other variants are still available.
China's Yuan class submarines were exported to Thailand and Myanmar as of July 2010. China also announced its intention to purchase eight more submarines for its navy. China's Navy is expected have at most 25 Yuan-class submarines in service by 2025.