Open source information and analysis
China purchased 12 Project 877EKM/636 (Kilo class) diesel-electric submarines from Russia between 1995 and 2007. The acquisition of these submarines provided access to the latest submarine quieting, sonar and weapon technologies.
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The Type 039A (NATO reporting name: Yuan class) is a follow-on to the Type 039 (Song class) conventionally-powered diesel-electric submarine
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The Type 039 (Song class) is a conventionally-powered diesel-electric submarine, designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare using torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
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The Type 094 (Jin class) is China’s 2nd-generation SSBN, carrying 12 JL-2 (CSS-N-14) SLBM. A total of 4 hulls have been constructed since 2004, providing China with a credible sea-based nuclear deterrence capability.
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The Type 093 (Shang class) is China’s 2nd-generation SSN introduced in the early 2000s. It represents a significant improvement over the 1st-generation submarines in performance and capability.
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The Type 092 (Xia class) is China’s 1st-generation nuclear-powered missile submarine, with a single hull delivered in the 1980s. Due to its limited capability and operational readiness, the submarine severed primarily as a technology demonstrator rather than for operational deployment.
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The Type 091 (Han class) is China’s 1st-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine built by Huludao-based Bohai Shipyard. A total of five Type 091 submarines have been constructed between 1967 and 1990, of which three still remain in active service today.
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The Type 054A (Jiangkai-II class) is the new-generation multirole missile frigate first introduced in 2005, capable of air defence, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and general purpose operations. 27 hulls have already been commissioned by the PLA Navy as of April 2018.
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The Type 054 (Jiangkai class) multirole missile frigates were introduced by the PLA Navy in 2005. This class was primarily intended to validate the hull design of a new generation frigate, but still equipped with older weapon systems and sensors. They were succeeded by the more capable Type 054A (Jiangkai-II class).
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The Type 056 (Jiangdao class) is a class of light frigate designed for patrol, escort, and other general roles in coastal waters. Over 40 hulls in the class have been launched at four shipyards since 2012 for both domestic use and foreign customers. An improved Type 056A with enhanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities was introduced in 2015.
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