The new submarine, believed to be part of the Yuan-class submarines, features a distinctive stealth sail that is easily recognizable. The top portion of the command tower runs along the upper structure, creating sloped surfaces that may aim to reduce radar cross-section when surfaced.
The new submarine, believed to be part of the Yuan-class submarines, features a distinctive stealth sail that is easily recognizable. The top portion of the command tower runs along the upper structure, creating sloped surfaces that may aim to reduce radar cross-section when surfaced.
The new submarine from China as described by Western experts.
During the peak of the Cold War, defense analysts often sought to gather information about a new type of submarine spotted outside shipyards. Today, this game is playing out again, in China. A new submarine, with an unusual “sail,” has recently emerged.
The ability to keep submarine designs secret can provide tactical or strategic advantages in the future. However, they are also large projects that most countries cannot keep completely under wraps. For example, the U.S. Navy’s submarine construction plans have been known for many years.
On May 12, 2021, observers got their first look at a new submarine ready to be launched at a shipyard in Wuhan. This led to a lot of analysis and some baseless speculation.
Since May, a short video clip and another realistic photo have surfaced, allowing for deeper analysis. The mysterious submarine is currently on the Huangpu River in Shanghai.
Before addressing what the public knows, it is worth highlighting what we do not know. For instance, we do not know the name or designation of the vessel.
Western observers refer to it as Type-039C or Type-039D. The last letter indicates that it is the third or fourth major variant from the main variant of the Type-039A Yuan Class submarines currently in the Chinese navy. These letters, including the previous Type B, have been the nomenclature used by Western observers. Although they are widely used in defense circles, the Chinese Navy has not shared how they name or designate this vessel. Therefore, all of this could be incorrect.
So far, the most distinctive feature of the new submarine is its observation post, or sail. It has an angular upper part with a peak running along the upper structure. The angles created resemble those of a stealth fighter jet and may reduce radar cross-section when it is on the surface. This would make the vessel more stealthy when entering and leaving port. It can be speculated that the submarine may have advantages in hydrodynamics, such as reducing the wake when submerged and using periscopes.
The mysterious submarine is currently on a river in Shanghai.
The “sail” has also been reshaped to create significant volume near the top of the vessel, which may be used to house new systems. However, overall, the sail is not larger than those on previous Yuan-class submarines.
Due to the very noticeable angular sail, it is easy to draw a natural comparison between the new vessel in China and Sweden’s A-26 Blekinge-class submarine. Externally, the two vessels look similar. It is possible that the Swedish design, which has been public for many years, has inspired Chinese designers. However, upon closer examination, there is only one point of similarity, and they are actually quite different.
The Swedish submarine has more blended lines with a smoothly integrated curved sail leading into the hull. The Chinese vessel has much straighter edges and a less blended lower section. The hydroplanes are also positioned differently, with the Swedish submarine having them along the upper structure. The Chinese submarine places them in a position similar to earlier Yuan-class vessels, placing them lower and further forward.
