Type 039A vs Type 209

Overview

The Type 039A and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes.

The Type 039A reaches 12 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 12,000 nautical miles for the Type 039A vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Type 039A carries a crew of 36 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 3,600 tons for the Type 039A vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 250 m for the Type 039A.

The Type 039A was produced in 21 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Type 039A was commissioned in 2006, 35 years after the Type 209 (1971).

Chinese diesel-electric submarine, entered service in 2006, utilizes air-independent propulsion.
Origin 🇨🇳 China
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Wuchang Shipbuilding
Year introduced 2006
Number built 21 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 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
Displacement 1,285 tons
Maximum speed 11.0 knots
Range 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 64.4 m
Beam 6.5 m
Crew 36
Max depth 500 m
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 039A-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has greater displacement at 1,285 tons compared to the Type 039A-class's 0 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 039A-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 039A-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 039A-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 039A-class has a longer range at 12,000 nautical miles compared to the Type 209-class's 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 039A-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 039A-class is longer at 77.6 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Type 039A-class and Type 209-class have?
The Type 209-class has a larger crew complement of 36 compared to the Type 039A-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Type 039A-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Type 039A-class's 250 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Type 039A-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 21 vessels of the Type 039A-class.