Yuan Class AIP & Kilo Submarine Thread

Tam

Brigadier
Registered Member
There is a rumor that Wuhan is building three 039Cs at the same time, and I think Shanghai should not build it for the time being, but I am not sure about this news.

JIangnan certainly building, and built one already. Pic already previously posted somewhere.
 

AndrewS

Brigadier
Registered Member
I think this is the beginning of a new Yuan build surge just like the Type 054A is having now. Not likely to stop here with three subs.

If there's a 30 year service life for conventional submarines, it looks like there are quite a few submarines are due to retire.

The conventional submarine fleet has 60-odd boats, and there are still 13 Ming-class submarines in service along with 12 Kilo-class submarines.

If there's a 30 year service life, the next Ming is due to retire in 2024 with the last retiring in 2034.
The first Kilos would be due in 2024 with the last retirement in 2035
So that's 25 boats already due to retire by 2034/2035.

Plus some of the Song-class are due to start retirements by 2029.

So they are going to have to build at 2 boats per year on average just to replace old submarines.
 

antiterror13

Brigadier
If there's a 30 year service life for conventional submarines, it looks like there are quite a few submarines are due to retire.

The conventional submarine fleet has 60-odd boats, and there are still 13 Ming-class submarines in service along with 12 Kilo-class submarines.

If there's a 30 year service life, the next Ming is due to retire in 2024 with the last retiring in 2034.
The first Kilos would be due in 2024 with the last retirement in 2035
So that's 25 boats already due to retire by 2034/2035.

Plus some of the Song-class are due to start retirements by 2029.

So they are going to have to build at 2 boats per year on average just to replace old submarines.

Ming SSK should be retired soon, just too obsolete. I think PLAN start "selling" it to friendly countries. i.e Bangladesh and Myanmar, is not free but cheap enough, also include upgrade and training

however, Ming probably as good as Hai Lung-class submarine that the only 2 SSK Taiwan has
 

AndrewS

Brigadier
Registered Member
Ming SSK should be retired soon, just too obsolete. I think PLAN start "selling" it to friendly countries. i.e Bangladesh and Myanmar, is not free but cheap enough, also include upgrade and training

however, Ming probably as good as Hai Lung-class submarine that the only 2 SSK Taiwan has

Well, I said an average of 2 boats per year.

But given a 2027 target for modernisation (driven by Taiwan), I can see them continuing with 3 boats per year for the 2021-2025 plan, before production slows down.

So by 2027, all 13 of the Ming and the 2 retirement-age Kilo are replaced by the latest Yuan which are far more capable.

The 2 shipyards building these Yuan conventional submarines have lots of other work anyway, so they can flex production rates.

We saw a similar submarine acquisition buildup in the years leading up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, when the government feared a Taiwanese declaration of independence.
 

sndef888

Senior Member
Registered Member
I'm a bit surprised to see the windows on the 039C's sail

Was under the impression that windows had been replaced by cameras for pressure reasons in submarines in general
 
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