Type 093 submarine

Class overview
Builders	China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Bohai Shipyard, Huludao
Operators	People's Liberation Army Navy
Preceded by	Type 091
Succeeded by	Type 095
Building	4 As of January 2014
Active	5
General characteristics
Displacement	6,000 - 7,000 tonnes submerged
Length	110 m
Beam	11 m
Draft	7.5 m
Propulsion	Pressurized water nuclear reactor
Speed	30 kn
Range	Unlimited
Armament	6 torpedo tubes

The Type 093 (NATO reporting name: Shang, Chinese designation: 09-III) is a nuclear-powered attack submarine class deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). They are constructed at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao. Five are in service.

The improved Type 093A is in production. One was launched in 2012, with three more under construction.

These boats are expected to replace the older Type 091 (NATO: Han class) SSNs currently in service.

Programme

globalsecurity.org reports that development of the Type 093 began in the early 1980s. However, Admiral Liu Huaqing wrote in his memoirs that development began in 1994; this followed President Jiang Zemin's continued support for nuclear submarine development after the launch of the final Type 091 in 1990. Erickson and Goldstein suggest that the Yinhe incident in 1993, and continued tensions with Taiwan, also drove approval of the program.

Two Type 093s were launched in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Four improved Type 093As were in production in 2013; one of these was launched in 2012. Analysts speculate that no further Type 093s will be built due to the development of the Type 095.

Design

The Type 093 is estimated to be roughly 7000 t displacement when submerged. The Type 093 is estimated to be 110 metres (360 ft) long with a beam of 11 m. The sonar suite includes H/SQC-207 flank-mounted sonar. The boat may also use a seven-blade asymmetric propeller.

The powerplant is speculated to be two pressurized water reactors. In 2002, Chinese sources claimed the Type 093 was powered by a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, but the immaturity of the technology makes this unlikely.

Commercial imagery suggests the Type 093A is longer than the Type 093.

Weapons

The Type 093 is armed with six torpedo tubes; reports conflict on whether these are 553 mm or - as claimed by Chinese sources in 2002 – 650 mm tubes. The Type 093 has been claimed to be armed with the YJ-12 or YJ-82 anti-ship missiles. Anti-ship cruise missiles may also be future options.

Noise

In 2002, Chinese sources claimed the Type 093's noise level was on par with the improved Los Angeles-class. In 2004, Chinese sources claimed the Type 093 was on par with Project 971 (NATO reporting name Akula), at 110 decibels. In 2009, USN ONI listed the Type 093 as being noisier than Project 671RTM (NATO reporting name Victor III) which entered service in 1979.

References

Bibliography

• Erickson, Andrew S.; Goldstein, Lyle J. (Winter 2007). "China's Future Nuclear Submarine Force: Insights from Chinese Writings" (PDF). Naval War College Review. 60 (1). Retrieved 24 January 2015.
• O'Rourke, Ronald (23 December 2014). China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. RL33153. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
• Office of Naval Intelligence (August 2009). The People’s Liberation Army Navy, A Modern Navy with Chinese Characteristics (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 24 January 2015.
• United States Department of Defense (May 2013). Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2013 (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 24 January 2015.
• United States Department of Defense (June 2014). Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2014 (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 24 January 2015.