The People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force (PLANSF) is the submarine service of the People's Liberation Army Navy. Currently, PLANSF operates a fleet of 68 submarines which include nuclear as well as conventional submarines.
Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines
The PLAN currently operates two classes of ballistic missile submarines:
* Type 094 submarine (NATO designation Jin-class) - In service.
* Type 092 submarine (NATO designation Xia-class) - In service.
The Type 092 submarine (Xia-class), was commissioned by 1983. Its primary weapon is the JL-1 SLBM, with 12 launch tubes, as well as six 533 mm tubes for self-defence. The Xia is now carrying an improved missile, the JL-1A that is alleged to have longer range.
The Type 094 submarine (Jin-class) 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.
Nuclear-powered fleet submarines
The PLAN currently has two types of nuclear-powered attack submarines in service:
* Type 093 submarine (NATO designation Shang-class).
* Type 091 submarine (NATO designation Han-class).
The Type 091 submarine (Han-class) has mostly operated in local waters, but since the 1990s, they have been used more aggressively.
Little information has emerged about the Type 093 submarine (Shang-class), but it maybe comparable to the Russian Victor III-class, signifying a significant step forward for Chinese nuclear attack submarines.
China is constructing a major underground nuclear submarine base near Sanya, Hainan. The Daily Telegraph on 1 May 2008 reported that tunnels were being built into hillsides which could be capable of hiding up to 20 nuclear submarines from spy satellites.
Conventionally-powered attack submarines
The PLAN currently operates four different classes of conventional submarines:
* Type 039A submarine (NATO designation Yuan-class).
* Type 039 submarine (NATO designation Song-class).
* Kilo-class submarine (NATO designation Kilo-class).
* Type 035 submarine (NATO designation Ming-class).
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 Russian Romeo-class. 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.
Despite the purchase of 12 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. By 2006 about 13 hulls have been confirmed to be built so far. The Song-class 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. The hull seems to resemble Russian influences (as it is similar to the Kilo). 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. 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.
Conventionally-powered ballistic missile submarine
Type 032 submarine (NATO designation Qing-class) - In service as technology test-bed.
China has constructed the world's largest conventional submarine – the Type 032, initially called the Type 043. Some reports claimed that the Type 032 submarine may be a cause for concern as a general purpose submarine, not only responsible for testing JL-2 ICBMs, but the design could also be fitted as an "aircraft carrier killer", carrying anti-ship ballistic missiles. Thus far only one has been built, supporting the test platform interpretation – if more than one appeared, the "aircraft carrier killer" interpretation would begin to gain currency.
A photo was taken in July 2017. China's Type 032 will be able to launch various weapons including the JL-2A submarine-launched ballistic missile [from tubes in the sail] and CJ-20A cruise missiles and the YJ-18 anti-ship missile from tubes in the hull forward of the sail.
