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People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force

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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]

Its surface branch counterpart is the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force.

Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines

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Type 094 (Jin-class)
Type 094 (Jin-class)

The PLAN currently operates two classes of ballistic missile submarines with another under construction:

Development

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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 533 mm 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 8,000 km 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

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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:

Development

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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 nuclear submarine 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]

Conventionally-powered attack submarines

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Type 039A (Yuan-class)
Type 039 (Yuan-class)

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:

Development

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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 220 km. 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 Commission Xi 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]

Conventionally-powered ballistic missile submarine

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Nomenclature

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See also: Naval Vessels Naming Regulation

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

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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]

  • Yulin Naval Base, Hainan Island[21]- nuclear powered boats
  • Jianggezhuang Naval Base[22]- nuclear powered boats
  • Qingdao Naval Base - conventionally powered boats
  • Lyshunkao Naval Base - conventionally powered boats
  • Daxie Island Naval Base - conventionally powered boats
  • Xiachuan Island Naval Base - conventionally powered boats
  • Anyou Naval Base, Hainan Island - conventionally powered boats
  • Sanya Naval Base, Hainan Island - conventionally powered boats

Fleet

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Type NATO designation Pennant No. Name
(English) 		Name
(Han 汉) 		Commissioned Displacement[a] Fleet Status
Type 094 / 094A submarine Jin class 411 Long March 11 长征 11 2007 11,000 t South Sea Fleet Active
413 Long March 13 长征 13 2009 11,000 t South Sea Fleet Active
412 Long March 12 长征 12 2011 11,000 t South Sea Fleet Active
414 Long March 14 长征 14 2012 11,000 t South Sea Fleet Active
420 Long March 20 长征 20 2019 11,000 t South Sea Fleet Active
421 Long March 21 长征 21 2021 11,000 t South Sea Fleet Active
Type 032 submarine Qing class Yuan-Zheng 201 Expedition 201 远征 201 2012 6,630 t North Sea Fleet Active
Type 093 submarine Shang class 407 Long March 7 长征7 2006 6,100 t North Sea Fleet Active
408 Long March 8 长征 8 2007 6,100 t North Sea Fleet Active
Type 093A submarine 409 Long March 9 长征 9 2012 6,100 t South Sea Fleet Active
410 Long March 10 长征 10 2015 6,100 t South Sea Fleet Active
418 Long March 18 长征 18 2017 6,100 t North Sea Fleet Active
419 Long March 19 长征 19 2017 6,100 t North Sea Fleet Active
Type 091 submarine Han class 403 Long March 3 长征 3 1984 5,550 t North Sea Fleet Active
404 Long March 4 长征 4 1987 5,550 t North Sea Fleet Active
405 Long March 5 长征 5 1990 5,550 t North Sea Fleet Active
Type 039A submarine Yuan class Chang-Cheng 330 Great Wall 330 长城 330 2005 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 331 Great Wall 331 长城 331 2009 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 332 Great Wall 332 长城 332 2009 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 333 Great Wall 333 长城 333 2010 3,600 t Active
Type 039B submarine Chang-Cheng 334 Great Wall 334 长城 334 2011 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 335 Great Wall 335 长城 335 2011 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 336 Great Wall 336 长城 336 2012 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 337 Great Wall 337 长城 337 2012 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 338 Great Wall 338 长城 338 2012 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 339 Great Wall 339 长城 339 2012 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 340 Great Wall 340 长城 340 2012 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 341 Great Wall 341 长城 341 2012 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 342 Great Wall 342 长城 342 2015 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 343 Great Wall 343 长城 343 2016 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 344 Great Wall 344 长城 344 2017 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 345 Great Wall 345 长城 345 2019- 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng 346 Great Wall 346 长城 346 3,600 t Active
Type 039C submarine Chang-Cheng ? Great Wall ? 长城 ? 2022 3,600 t Active
Chang-Cheng ? Great Wall ? 长城 ? 2023? 3,600 t Fitting out
Chang-Cheng  ? Great Wall ? 长城 ? 2023? 3,600 t Fitting out
Type 039 submarine Song class Chang-Cheng 320 Great Wall 320 长城 320 1999 2,250 t North Sea Fleet Active
Type 039G submarine Chang-Cheng 321 Great Wall 321 长城 321 2001 2,250 t North Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 322 Great Wall 322 长城 322 2001 2,250 t North Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 323 Great Wall 323 长城 323 2003 2,250 t North Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 324 Great Wall 324 长城 324 2003 2,250 t East Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 325 Great Wall 325 长城 325 2004 2,250 t East Sea Fleet Active
Type 039G1 submarine Chang-Cheng 314 Great Wall 314 长城 314 2003 2,250 t East Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 315 Great Wall 315 长城 315 2003 2,250 t North Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 316 Great Wall 316 长城 316 2005 2,250 t North Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 326 Great Wall 326 长城 326 2006 2,250 t South Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 327 Great Wall 327 长城 327 2006 2,250 t North Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 328 Great Wall 328 长城 328 2006 2,250 t North Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 329 Great Wall 329 长城 329 2006 2,250 t South Sea Fleet Active
Type 035A submarine Ming class Chang-Cheng 358 Great Wall 358 长城 358 1993 2,113 t North Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 359 Great Wall 359 长城 359 1994 2,113 t North Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 360 Great Wall 360 长城 360 1995 2,113 t North Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 362 Great Wall 362 长城 362 1996 2,113 t North Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 363 Great Wall 363 长城 363 1996 2,113 t North Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 305 Great Wall 305 长城 305 1998 2,113 t South Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 306 Great Wall 306 长城 306 1998 2,113 t South Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 307 Great Wall 307 长城 307 1999 2,113 t South Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 308 Great Wall 308 长城 308 1999 2,113 t South Sea Fleet In reserve
Chang-Cheng 309 Great Wall 309 长城 309 2000 2,113 t South Sea Fleet In reserve
Type 035B submarine Chang-Cheng 310 Great Wall 310 长城 310 2001 2,113 t South Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 311 Great Wall 311 长城 311 2002 2,113 t South Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 312 Great Wall 312 长城 312 2003 2,113 t South Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 313 Great Wall 313 长城 313 2004 2,113 t South Sea Fleet Active
Project 877EKM Kilo class Chang-Cheng 364 Great Wall 364 长城 364 1994 3,075 t East Sea Fleet Active
Potentially being scrapped[23]
Chang-Cheng 365 Great Wall 365 长城 365 1995 3,075 t East Sea Fleet Active
Potentially being scrapped[23]
Project 636 Improved Kilo class Chang-Cheng 366 Great Wall 366 长城 366 1997 3,100 t East Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 367 Great Wall 367 长城 367 1998 3,100 t East Sea Fleet Active
Project 636M Chang-Cheng 368 Great Wall 368 长城 368 2004 3,100 t East Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 369 Great Wall 369 长城 369 2004 3,100 t East Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 370 Great Wall 370 长城 370 2005 3,100 t East Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 371 Great Wall 371 长城 371 2005 3,100 t East Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 372 Great Wall 372 长城 372 2005 3,100 t South Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 373 Great Wall 373 长城 373 2004 3,100 t South Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 374 Great Wall 374 长城 374 2005 3,100 t South Sea Fleet Active
Chang-Cheng 375 Great Wall 375 长城 375 2005 3,100 t South Sea Fleet Active

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Displacement when dived.

References

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  1. ^ "China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress Updated July 30, 2020" (PDF). Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  2. ^ IHS Janes, News, 2007
  3. ^ Jane;'s Fighting Ships, 2023-24 edition.
  4. ^ Federation of American Scientists: Images of Hainan, fas.org
  5. ^ Harding, Thomas, "Chinese Build Secret Nuclear Submarine Base", London Daily Telegraph, May 2, 2008.
  6. ^ Harding, Thomas, "Chinese Nuclear Submarines Prompt 'New Cold War' Warning", London Daily Telegraph, May 3, 2008.
  7. ^ Honrada, Gabriel (2022-05-16). "Satellite reveals China's new nuclear attack sub". Asia Times. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  8. ^ Torode, Greg. "Satellite images raise prospect of new class of Chinese submarine". Reuters.
  9. ^ Dahm, J. Michael; Singer, Peter W. (2024-10-02). "What reports got wrong about China's 'sunken nuclear submarine'". Defense One. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  10. ^ "Chinese nuclear attack submarine sank during construction: US defence official". South China Morning Post. 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  11. ^ Gordon, Michael. "China's Newest Nuclear Submarine Sank, Setting Back Its Military Modernization". Wall Street Journal.
  12. ^ Wang Tao (2014-10-22). "Courage and bloodiness have always been the backbone of soldiers and the edge of victory. This fact repeatedly reminds us that we must forge the soul before forging the sword". Ministry of National Defense. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  13. ^ "South China Sea Fleet submarine suddenly lost buoyancy during a voyage and encountered the most dangerous 3 minutes". 凤凰网. 2014-04-09. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  14. ^ "Media reveals military awards: Most awards are related to "aircraft carriers"". 人民网. 2014-09-01. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  15. ^ "Expert: What major dangerous situation did the meritorious submarine of the South China Sea Fleet deal with". Phoenix.com. 2014-09-03. Archived from the original on 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  16. ^ "Xi Jinping signs a general order to award merit to 1 unit and 24 individuals". People's Daily. August 28, 2014. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13.
  17. ^ Xu Yeqing; Gao Yi (special correspondent) (2014-09-03). "A celebration meeting was held to celebrate the first-class merit awarded by the Central Military Commission to Wang Hongli and the Navy to 372 submarines". Ministry of National Defense. Archived from the original on 2018-10-07. {{cite web}}: |author2= has generic name (help)
  18. ^ a b c d 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.
  19. ^ Sutton, H. I. "Chinese Navy Submarines Are Protected By Underground Tunnels". Forbes. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  20. ^ "China's submarine force: an overview". IISS. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  21. ^ "A Closer Look at China's Critical South China Sea Submarine Base". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  22. ^ "the nuclear information project: Chinese Nuclear Sub Cave". www.nukestrat.com. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  23. ^ a b "One of the Chinese Navy's Kilo-class submarines may be retired and dismantled". 14 January 2022.
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