Type 039 vs Type 209

The Type 039 and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. Displacement is 1,700 tons for the Type 039 vs 1,285 tons for the Type 209. The Type 039 reaches 15 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. The Type 039 carries a crew of 60 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 2,250 tons for the Type 039 vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 300 m for the Type 039. The Type 039 was produced in 13 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Type 039 was commissioned in 1998, 27 years after the Type 209 (1971).

Chinese diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1998, displaces 1,700 tons.
Origin 🇨🇳 China
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Wuhan Shipbuilding
Year introduced 1998
Number built 13 units
Estimated unit price NA
German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1971, displaces 1,285 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1971
Number built 68 units
Estimated unit price $285 million
Displacement 1,700 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 15.0 knots â—‰
Range NA
Length 74.9 m â—‰
Beam 8.4 m â—‰
Crew 60 â—‰
Max depth 300 m â—‰
Propulsion diesel-electric, 1 shaft
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
Displacement 1,285 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 11.0 knots â—‰
Range 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 64.4 m â—‰
Beam 6.5 m â—‰
Crew 36 â—‰
Max depth 500 m â—‰
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Armament
  • 8 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 14 torpedoes
  • UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
  • SeaHake mod 4 torpedoes
  • SUT torpedoes
  • SST torpedoes
  • Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes
  • DM2A3 torpedoes
  • Blackshark torpedoes
  • A184 mod. 3 torpedoes
  • DM2A4 torpedoes
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 torpedoes
  • Mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Type 039-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 039-class has greater displacement at 1,700 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 039-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 039-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 039-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has a longer range at 11,000 nautical miles compared to the Type 039-class's 0 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 039-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 039-class is longer at 74.9 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Type 039-class and Type 209-class have?
The Type 039-class has a larger crew complement of 60 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Type 039-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Type 039-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Type 039-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 13 vessels of the Type 039-class.