Type 039A vs Type 212

Overview

The Type 039A and the Type 212 are both Submarine classes.

The Type 039A reaches 12 knots vs 12 knots for the Type 212. Operational range is 12,000 nautical miles for the Type 039A vs 8,000 for the Type 212. The Type 039A carries a crew of 36 vs 27 for the Type 212. Submerged displacement is 3,600 tons for the Type 039A vs 1,830 tons for the Type 212. The Type 039A can dive to 250 m compared to 200 m for the Type 212.

The Type 039A was produced in 21 units vs 10 for the Type 212. The Type 039A was commissioned in 2006, 1 years after the Type 212 (2005).

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
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 1,524 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots
Range 8,000 nm at 8 knots
Length 56.0 m
Beam 6.8 m
Crew 27
Max depth 200 m
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.