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Submarine

China

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)

Type 039A/B Yuan

China's most numerous modern conventional attack submarine, fitted with air-independent propulsion for extended submerged endurance without surfacing. It is the PLA Navy's primary diesel-electric submarine and has been offered for export, including to Pakistan and Thailand.

In service since 2006 · 2 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

300

m depth

3,600

crew

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Limited · 2 operators

In service since 2006. Status: active · ~20 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Compatible munitions & weapons

Publicly reported weapons the Type 039A/B Yuan can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.

YJ-18 anti-ship missile Yu-6 heavyweight torpedo sea mines

Full specifications

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Torpedo tubes Number of torpedo tubes (submarines and some surface ships).: 6

Stronger than 53% of submarines

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 77.6 m

Naval

Displacement, speed, endurance and diving depth.

Displacement Standard displacement in tonnes, the ship’s size class. Larger hulls carry more but cost more and are less agile.: 3,600 t
Max speed Top speed in knots (surfaced, for submarines). Higher aids positioning and screening.: 20 kn

Stronger than 45% of submarines
Submerged speed Maximum speed while submerged (submarines). Higher is faster underwater.: 20 kn

Stronger than 26% of submarines
Test depth Maximum rated diving depth (submarines). Deeper is harder to detect and engage. Actual crush depth is classified.: 300 m

Stronger than 55% of submarines
Complement Crew size. Fewer eases manning cost; more may indicate a larger, more capable platform.: 65
Propulsion plant Machinery type, nuclear reactor, gas turbine (COGAG), CODAG, diesel-electric, AIP.: Diesel-electric with Stirling air-independent propulsion

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 20

Stronger than 83% of submarines
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 2

Stronger than 82% of submarines

Specifications compiled from public China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

Compare with rivals

See how it stacks up

Submarine

Type 039A/B Yuan Virginia-class Submarine

General Dynamics Electric Boat Virginia-class Submarine

View Virginia-class Submarine ↗

Submarine

Type 039A/B Yuan Borei-class

Rubin Design Bureau Borei-class

View Borei-class ↗

Submarine

Type 039A/B Yuan Kilo-class (Project 636.3)

Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3)

View Kilo-class (Project 636.3) ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan used for? +

The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan is a submarine typically used for anti armor.

How many countries operate the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan? +

The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan is operated by 2 countries.

How much does the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan cost? +

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.