Type 091 submarine

Last updated
Han class SSN mod.svg
Han-class SSN profile
Han class.jpg
A Type 091 submarine in 1993
Class overview
NameHan class
Builders Bohai Shipyard, Huludao
OperatorsNaval ensign of China.svg  People's Liberation Army Navy
Succeeded by Type 093
In commission1974–present
Completed5 [1]
Active3
Retired2
General characteristics
Type Nuclear submarine
Displacement5,500 tons (submerged)
Length98 m (321 ft 6 in)
Beam10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draft7.4 m (24 ft 3 in)
Propulsion1 nuclear turbo-electric engine – pressurized water reactor
Speed25 knots (46 km/h) [2]
RangeUnlimited
Complement75
Armament6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes able to launch the RPK-2

The Type 091 (Chinese designation: 09-I ; NATO reporting name: Han class) is a first-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine produced by China. It was the first nuclear submarine employed by the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force, [3] and the first indigenously produced nuclear attack submarine in Asia. [4]

Contents

Background

The Chinese naval nuclear power program started in July 1958 when the Central Military Commission gave approval to start the Type 091 submarine project. [5] Mao Zedong declared that China would build nuclear attack submarines "even if it took ten thousand years." [6] Peng Shilu was the first chief designer of this project. [7] [8] [9] The first submarine in the class, Changzheng 1 ("Long March 1"), was commissioned in 1974; [3] the last was launched in 1990. [1] In 1983, Peng moved to the civilian development of nuclear power plants, and he was succeeded at the nuclear submarine project by Huang Xuhua. [10] [8]

The Type 091 has operated mainly in local waters, and has been involved in several incidents. One submarine shadowed the Kitty Hawk carrier battle group in October 1994, provoking a stand-off. [11] [12] Another entered Japanese territorial waters near Ishigaki Island (part of Okinawa Prefecture) near Taiwan in November 2004, causing the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to go on alert for the second time since the Second World War; China apologized for the trespass and blamed "technical reasons" on the submarine. [13]

The boats have received major upgrades and numerous refits since commissioning. They have six 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes and carry 20 torpedoes. Alternatively, they can carry 36 mines in their tubes. It is capable of firing sub-launched variants of the C-801 anti-ship missile as well as a range of indigenous and Russian torpedoes or mines. All remaining hulls have been refitted with new sonars, with Type H/SQ2-262B sonar manufactured by No. 613 Factory replacing the original Type 603 sonar on board. Anechoic tiles were added later to reduce noise levels.

Criticism

The Type 091 is extremely noisy and has poor radiation shielding, a result of being based on 1950s technology. [14] It cannot launch missiles while submerged. [15] Overall, the submarine's tactical utility is limited against modern combatants. [14]

Failed lease to Pakistan

In 1989, Pakistan made an abortive attempt to procure a Type 091 for US$63 million in 1992,: contents  [16] as a response to the Soviet K-43 leased to India in 1988. [17] : 92  Occasional rumours of Pakistani interest in a Type 091 continued to surface as late as 2012; any purchase would be useful mainly as an antiquated training platform. [14] [ full citation needed ]

Units

Pennant
number		Name
(English)		BuilderLaunchedCommissionedDecommissionedStatus
401 Changzheng 1 Bohai Shipyard,
Huludao [18] 		197019742000 [19] Decommissioned in 2000.
Preserved at the Chinese Navy Museum, Qingdao. [20]
402Changzheng 2Bohai Shipyard,
Huludao [18] 		197719802004 [19] Decommissioned in 2004
403Changzheng 3Bohai Shipyard,
Huludao [18] 		198321 September 1984 [18] Active
404Changzheng 4Bohai Shipyard,
Huludao [18] 		1987November 1988 [18] Active
405Changzheng 5Bohai Shipyard,
Huludao [18] 		8 April 1990 [18] December 1990 [18] Active

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RUR-5 ASROC</span> Anti-submarine missile system

The RUR-5 ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates. The ASROC has been deployed on scores of warships of many other navies, including Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of China, Greece, Pakistan and others.

<i>Seawolf</i>-class submarine Class of US nuclear attack submarines

The Seawolf class is a class of nuclear-powered, fast attack submarines (SSN) in service with the United States Navy. The class was the intended successor to the Los Angeles class, and design work began in 1983. A fleet of 29 submarines was to be built over a ten-year period, but that was reduced to 12 submarines. The end of the Cold War and budget constraints led to the cancellation of any further additions to the fleet in 1995, leaving the Seawolf class limited to just three boats. This, in turn, led to the design of the smaller Virginia class. The Seawolf class cost about $3 billion per unit, making it the most expensive United States Navy fast attack submarine and second most expensive submarine ever, after the French Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

Type 212A submarine Class of diesel-electric Submarine

The Type 212A is a class of diesel-electric submarine developed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) for the German Navy, and the Italian Navy where it is known as the Todaro class. It features diesel propulsion and an additional air-independent propulsion (AIP) system using Siemens proton-exchange membrane (PEM) compressed hydrogen fuel cells. The submarines can operate at high speed on diesel power or switch to the AIP system for silent slow cruising, staying submerged for up to three weeks with little exhaust heat. The system is also said to be vibration-free and virtually undetectable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attack submarine</span> Submarine designed to destroy other ships

An attack submarine or hunter-killer submarine is a submarine specifically designed for the purpose of attacking and sinking other submarines, surface combatants and merchant vessels. In the Soviet and Russian navies they were and are called "multi-purpose submarines". They are also used to protect friendly surface combatants and missile submarines. Some attack subs are also armed with cruise missiles, increasing the scope of their potential missions to include land targets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear submarine</span> Submarine powered by a nuclear reactor

A nuclear submarine is a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily nuclear-armed. Nuclear submarines have considerable performance advantages over "conventional" submarines. Nuclear propulsion, being completely independent of air, frees the submarine from the need to surface frequently, as is necessary for conventional submarines. The large amount of power generated by a nuclear reactor allows nuclear submarines to operate at high speed for long periods, and the long interval between refuelings grants a range virtually unlimited, making the only limits on voyage times being imposed by such factors as the need to restock food or other consumables.

Romeo-class submarine Soviet diesel electric submarine

The Project 633 class is a class of Soviet diesel-electric submarine, built between 1957 and 1961. A Chinese variant, Type 033, was built in China from 1962 to 1984.

<i>Dolphin</i>-class submarine Israeli Navy submarine class

The Dolphin class is a diesel-electric submarine developed in Israel and constructed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) in Kiel, Germany, for the Israeli Navy. The first boats of the class were based on the export-only German 209-class submarines, but modified and enlarged. The Dolphin 1 sub-class is slightly larger than the German Navy Type 212 in length and displacement. The three newer air-independent propulsion (AIP) equipped boats are similar to the Type 212 vessels in underwater endurance, but are 12 metres (39 ft) longer, nearly 500 tonnes heavier in submerged displacement and have a larger crew than either the Type 212 or the Type 214.

The Type 092 submarine was the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deployed by the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force.

Type 094 submarine Chinese ballistic missile submarine class

The Type 094 is a class of nuclear ballistic missile submarines developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force. The Type 094 succeeds the Type 092 submarine and precedes the Type 096 submarine, which is under development.

Type 039 submarine Diesel electric submarine class

The Type 039 submarine is a class of diesel-electric submarines of the People's Liberation Army Navy. The class is the first diesel-electric submarine to be fully developed within China and also the first Chinese diesel-electric submarine to use the teardrop hull shape.

Type 039A submarine Chinese diesel-electric submarine class

The Type 039A submarine is a class of diesel-electric submarine in China's People's Liberation Army Navy. It is China's first AIP powered submarine and presumed to be one of the quietest diesel-electric submarine classes in service. This class is the successor of the Type 039 submarine. The official Chinese designation is 039A as the ship is based on the 039 class, but as the 039A has very little resemblance to the 039 it is commonly referred to as the Type 041. The class is designed to replace the aging Type 033 and the older Type 035 submarines that previously formed the backbone of the conventional submarine force.

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the armed forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLAN force consists of approximately 250,000 men and over a hundred major combat vessels, organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Sea Fleet, and the South Sea Fleet.

Type 037 corvette Submarine chaser class of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy

The Type 037 corvette is a series 400–500 ton corvette type classes in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy. Unlike western navies, the People's Liberation Army Navy does not have dedicated patrol boats in its inventory. Instead, a large variety of corvette type classes, in the form of missile boats and submarine chasers fulfill the tasks of patrolling China's territorial waters. The Egyptian Navy operates eight vessels.

<i>Zulfiquar</i>-class frigate Class of Pakistan Navy frigates

The Zulfiquar-class frigate, also known as F-22P or in English: Sword class, is a class of multi-mission guided missile frigates, in service with the Pakistan Navy. The class is based on an updated model of the Chinese design, the Type 053H3. The frigates were designed and built jointly in Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China and the KS&EW Ltd. in Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force</span> Submarine service of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy

The People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force (PLANSF) is the submarine service of the People's Liberation Army Navy. It consists of all types of submarines in operational service organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Sea Fleet, and the South Sea Fleet. Submarines have long been one of the three focuses of the People's Liberation Army Navy, and when the decision was made in late 2006 to concentrate on building other principal surface combatants to strengthen the air defense and to further delay the construction of aircraft carriers due to insufficient air cover, submarines will continue to play the lead dominant role in the assault force for the PLAN. Currently, PLANSF operates a fleet of 66 submarines which include nuclear as well as conventional submarines.

The Type 095 is a planned class of third-generation nuclear attack submarines for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China. It is anticipated that the Type 095 submarine will have a substantially reduced acoustic signature, within an improved hull design.

The Type 093 submarine is a class of nuclear-powered attack submarines constructed by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Navy.

The Type 035 submarine is a class of diesel-electric submarines of the People's Liberation Army Navy. The Type 035 is a heavily improved redesign of the older Type 033 submarines, which were built in China from 1962 to 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huang Xuhua</span> Chinese engineer

Huang Xuhua is a Chinese mechanical engineer, and the second chief designer for the country's first generation of nuclear submarines. He is director emeritus of the Wuhan-based 719 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, and is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. His name was classified until 1987.

Chinese submarine <i>Changzheng 1</i> Type 091 nuclear submarine

Changzheng 1 (401) is a Type 091 nuclear attack submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

References

  1. 1 2 Erickson and Goldstein (2007: 58)
  2. ↑ Erickson and Goldstein (2007: 68)
  3. 1 2 Purser, Benjamin S. III; Chanse, Michael S. (3 August 2012). "Waypoint or Destination? The Jin-Class Submarine and China's Quest for Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrence". China Brief. Jamestown Foundation. 12 (15). Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "China's Very First Nuclear Attack Submarines Had Some Major Fatal Flaws". 15 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-10-27. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  5. ↑ "Type 09-1 Han Class". Archived from the original on 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  6. ↑ China’s ‘Long March’ to a Credible Nuclear Attack Submarine The National Interest Archived 20 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ "The achievements of CNNC during the year 2017". www.china5e.com (in Chinese). 中国能源网. Archived from the original on 2018-11-08. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  8. 1 2 Li, Zhongxiao (2018-12-06). "There is no "father" of China's nuclear submarines, and even if there is, it should not be Huang Xuhua". Sina News (in Chinese). Beijing, China: Sina Corp. Archived from the original on 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  9. ↑ Erickson and Goldstein (2007: 59)
  10. ↑ Sullivan, Lawrence R.; Liu, Nancy Y. (2015). Historical Dictionary of Science and Technology in Modern China. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 322–3. ISBN   978-0-8108-7855-6. Archived from the original on 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2019-01-15.
  11. ↑ Harris, John F.; Lippman, Thomas W. (1994-12-15). "CHINESE WATCHED AS U.S. NAVY TRACKED SUB". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  12. ↑ "Faceoff Between U.S. Ship, Chinese Sub Is Revealed: Military: October incident in Yellow Sea highlights growing chance of naval conflict. Beijing sounds warning". Los Angeles Times. 1994-12-14. Archived from the original on 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  13. ↑ "China Apologizes for Submarine Incursion". Archived from the original on 2006-10-23.
  14. 1 2 3 Rehman (2012: 75)
  15. ↑ Type 09-1 Han class Archived 2005-06-24 at the Wayback Machine , globalsecurity.org
  16. ↑ United States Joint Economic Committee (2016). China's Economic Dilemmas in the 1990s: The Problem of Reforms, Modernisation and Interdependence. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-315-48543-0. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  17. ↑ Dittmer, Lowell (2015). South Asia's Nuclear Security Dilemma: India, Pakistan, and China: India, Pakistan, and China. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-317-45956-9. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Jane's Fighting Ships, 2023-24 Edition, ISBN 978-0-7106-3428 3, page 133
  19. 1 2 "Meet China's First Nuclear-Powered Submarine (It Was a Total Disaster)". 6 December 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  20. ↑ Zhao, Lei (27 October 2016). "Nuke submarine to go on display". China Daily. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2018.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.