The Yuan class in NATO's reporting system is the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, (PLAN), which has been busy building attack submarines over the past few years. These large-sized submarines are similar in size to the Russian Kilo-class. They are designed to operate in deep water areas in near-seas. They can also serve as cruise missile platforms that are very effective against ships.
There are three types Yuan Class submarines. Each model has a different sail type. They are called the Type 039A, Type 039C and Type 041. The first version, which was constructed at Wuhan Shipyard, was presented at the China Naval Modernization Report to the United States Congress 2005. The second Yuan is rumored to be under construction. These vessels are expected join the PLAN fleet by 2028.
According to Chinese-language Internet data, the new Yuan's overall length is 77.2 meters. It is believed that it has a greater beam than the Song-class. The boats are equipped with an optronic mast (and periscopes), which are likely to be much more effective than the rubber tiles on older vessels.
The aft casing on the Type-035 Ming Class submarines was modified with a chined upper sail around 2010. The Chinese Navy also has a towed antenna sonar on their vessels. It is believed that future Yuan-class ships will be loaded up with longer-range anti-submarine rockets.
The US Naval Institute recently evaluated the Yuan-class as an anti-ship cruise missile platform. They also evaluated the submarines' capabilities to operate in deep seas and near-seas. The submarine's AIP system was capable to keep it submerged for up to two weeks. They also found that the submarine could carry small missiles out. The C-802 cruise missile has a range up to 180 kilometers.
Holst wrongly stated that Yuan-class submarines were equipped with the C-802 ASCM in his essay. Holst says that the submarines were designed with this weapon. However US intelligence demands that every submarine that carries a missile be equipped with dedicated launchers. The Yuanclass is thought to have two or more Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP), meaning that the submarine does NOT need to have its own oxygen supply. AIP systems can be used to help modern SSKs remain underwater for as long as four weeks.
Chinese Navy also has a long track record of building submarines. Yuan-class, however, is only one of many additions to this fleet. China has actually built thirteen Type 039A submarines. At least four more will be built by 2023. China's first Type 039A submarine was built in 2005. It was built at Wuhan Shipyard. The submarine completed sea trials during 2006. It is not yet known if there are any other variants.
China's Yuan class submarines were exported to Thailand and Myanmar as of July 2010. China also announced its intention to purchase eight more submarines for its navy. The Chinese Navy is expected to have at least 25 Yuan-class submarines in service by 2025.