Type 039A vs Type 212

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
German diesel-electric submarine, entered service in 2005, propelled by a Siemens Permasyn electric motor.
Profile of Type 212
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW)
Year introduced 2005
Number built 10 units
Estimated unit price $450 million
Displacement NA
Maximum speed 12.0 knots â—‰
Range 12,000 nm â—‰
Length 77.6 m â—‰
Beam 8.4 m â—‰
Crew 36 â—‰
Max depth 250 m â—‰
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 1,524 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots â—‰
Range 8,000 nm at 8 knots â—‰
Length 56.0 m â—‰
Beam 6.8 m â—‰
Crew 27 â—‰
Max depth 200 m â—‰
Propulsion 1 × MTU 16V 396 marine diesel engine; 9 × HDW/Siemens PEM fuel cells (30–40 kW each) or 2 × HDW/Siemens PEM fuel cells (120 kW each); 1 × Siemens Permasyn electric motor (1700 kW) driving a single seven-bladed skewback propeller
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 13 DM2A4 or Black Shark torpedoes
  • IDAS missiles
  • 24 external naval mines (optional)

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Type 039A-class or Type 212-class?
The Type 212-class has greater displacement at 1,524 tons compared to the Type 039A-class's 0 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 039A-class or Type 212-class?
The Type 212-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Type 039A-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 039A-class or Type 212-class?
The Type 039A-class has a longer range at 12,000 nautical miles compared to the Type 212-class's 8,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 039A-class or Type 212-class?
The Type 039A-class is longer at 77.6 meters compared to the Type 212-class's 56.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Type 039A-class and Type 212-class have?
The Type 039A-class has a larger crew complement of 36 compared to the Type 212-class's 27 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Type 039A-class or Type 212-class?
The Type 039A-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 250 meters compared to the Type 212-class's 200 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Type 039A-class or Type 212-class?
The Type 039A-class has been built in greater numbers with 21 vessels compared to 10 vessels of the Type 212-class.