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Type 039 vs Type 039A

Type 039 vs Type 039A at a glance — displacement 1,700 vs 2,300 tons, length 74 vs 77 m, speed 15 vs 12 knots, crew 60 vs 36.

Type 039 submarine side profile drawing
🇨🇳 Type 039
Type 039A submarine side profile drawing
🇨🇳 Type 039A
Specifications
Type 039 Type 039A
Origin 🇨🇳 China 🇨🇳 China
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Wuhan Shipbuilding Wuchang Shipbuilding
Year introduced 1999 2006
Number built 13 units 21 units
Estimated unit price NA NA
Displacement 1,700 tons 2,300 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots 12.0 knots
Range NA 12,000 nm
Length 74.9 m 77.6 m
Beam 8.4 m 8.4 m
Crew 60 36
Max depth 300 m 250 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Type 039 Type 039A
Armament
  • 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 18 x torpedoes (Yu-4, Yu-6)
  • 36 x naval mines
  • YJ-8 cruise missiles
  • CY-1 ASW missiles
  • 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
Propulsion diesel-electric, 1 shaft Diesel-electric, 1 shaft, AIP (Stirling engine)
Change comparison vs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Type 039-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class has greater displacement at 2,300 tons compared to the Type 039-class's 1,700 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 039-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Type 039A-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 039-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class has a longer range at 12,000 nautical miles compared to the Type 039-class's 0 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 039-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class is longer at 77.6 meters compared to the Type 039-class's 74.9 meters.
How many crew members do the Type 039-class and Type 039A-class have?
The Type 039-class has a larger crew complement of 60 compared to the Type 039A-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Type 039-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039-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 Type 039-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class has been built in greater numbers with 21 vessels compared to 13 vessels of the Type 039-class.