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Astute vs Type 039A

Overview

The Astute and the Type 039A are both Submarine classes.

The Astute reaches 10 knots vs 12 knots for the Type 039A. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Astute vs 12,000 for the Type 039A. The Astute carries a crew of 98 vs 36 for the Type 039A. Submerged displacement is 7,800 tons for the Astute vs 3,600 tons for the Type 039A. The Astute can dive to 300 m compared to 250 m for the Type 039A.

The Astute was produced in 6 units vs 21 for the Type 039A. The Astute was commissioned in 2010, 4 years after the Type 039A (2006).

British nuclear-powered submarine, 7,400 tons displacement, entered service in 2010.
Profile of Astute
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer BAE Systems Submarines
Year introduced 2010
Number built 6 units
Estimated unit price $2,112 million
Chinese diesel-electric submarine, entered service in 2006, utilizes air-independent propulsion.
Profile of Type 039A
Origin 🇨🇳 China
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Wuchang Shipbuilding
Year introduced 2006
Number built 21 units
Estimated unit price NA
Displacement 7,400 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 97.0 m
Beam 11.3 m
Crew 98
Max depth 300 m
Propulsion 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor; MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators
Armament
  • 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles
  • Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes
Displacement NA
Maximum speed 12.0 knots
Range 12,000 nm
Length 77.6 m
Beam 8.4 m
Crew 36
Max depth 250 m
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 1 shaft, AIP (Stirling engine)
Armament
  • 6 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • Yu-3, Yu-4, Yu-6 torpedoes
  • YJ-82 or YJ-18 anti-ship missiles
  • Long-range land-attack cruise missiles
  • Naval mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Astute-class or Type 039A-class?
The Astute-class has greater displacement at 7,400 tons compared to the Type 039A-class's 0 tons.
Which is faster, the Astute-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Astute-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Astute-class or Type 039A-class?
The Astute-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 039A-class has a range of 12,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Astute-class or Type 039A-class?
The Astute-class is longer at 97.0 meters compared to the Type 039A-class's 77.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Astute-class and Type 039A-class have?
The Astute-class has a larger crew complement of 98 compared to the Type 039A-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Astute-class or Type 039A-class?
The Astute-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Type 039A-class's 250 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Astute-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class has been built in greater numbers with 21 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Astute-class.