Type 039A-class (Yuan)

The Type 039A, designated by NATO as the Yuan class, is a diesel-electric submarine operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy. It succeeded the Type 039 and was developed to replace the Type 033 and Type 035 classes. The class entered commission in 2006 and is the first conventional submarine in Chinese service to utilize air-independent propulsion (AIP).

The design features a double-hulled, teardrop-shaped hull with an angled casing. Propulsion is provided by a diesel-electric system integrated with a closed-cycle Stirling engine AIP system developed by the 711th Research Institute. For noise reduction, the class employs machinery rafts to isolate vibration, an asymmetrical seven-blade skewed propeller, and rubber anechoic tiles to reduce acoustic detection. The combat control systems utilize technology derived from French and Russian sonar and radar imports.

Armament consists of bow-mounted tubes for launching torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and naval mines. The class is equipped to deploy Yu-6 wake-homing torpedoes and YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles. Early assessments by the US Naval Institute identified the class as a littoral platform intended for anti-ship cruise missile strikes in shallow waters, though later evaluations categorize the Type 039A as a traditional attack submarine with open-ocean capabilities.

Development has proceeded through several variants. The Type 039B introduced a flank sonar array on the lower hull. The Type 039C variant, first identified in 2021, features a redesigned stealth sail and X-shaped stern control planes.

Within the People's Liberation Army Navy, active units are assigned to the East Sea Fleet, North Sea Fleet, and South Sea Fleet. The class is also produced for export. Pakistan is acquiring variants designated as the Hangor class, with construction split between Chinese and Pakistani shipyards. Thailand has ordered a modified version designated as the S26T. These export models are built at the Wuchang Shipbuilding facilities in Wuhan.