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Type 039 vs Type 209

Type 039 vs Type 209 at a glance — displacement 1,700 vs 1,285 tons, length 74 vs 64 m, speed 15 vs 11 knots, crew 60 vs 36.

Type 039 submarine side profile drawing
🇨🇳 Type 039Full specs
Specifications
Type 039 Type 209
Origin 🇨🇳 China 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Wuhan Shipbuilding Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1999 1971
Number built 13 units 68 units
Estimated unit price NA $285 million
Displacement 1,700 tons 1,285 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots 11.0 knots
Range NA 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 74.9 m 64.4 m
Beam 8.4 m 6.5 m
Crew 60 36
Max depth 300 m 500 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Type 039 Type 209
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
  • 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
Propulsion diesel-electric, 1 shaft Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Explore further
Type 039-class side profile drawing Type 039-class Specs, operators & history →
Largest operators · in service
Type 209-class Specs, operators & history →
Largest operators · in service
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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 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.