Huludao Shipyard has completed the construction of three Type- 093 submarine

Huludao Shipyard has completed construction of three nuclear-powered attack submarines 093G













 


A leaked photo of the PLA Navy's Type 093G nuclear submarine. (Internet photo)

Type 093 submarine

Class overview
Builders:	China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Bohai Shipyard, Huludao
Operators:	People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force
Preceded by:	Type 091
Succeeded by:	Type 095
Building:	4 as of January 2014
Active:	2 as of June 2014
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 VLS for cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles

Citing Taiwan's Defence Interntional magazine wantchinatimes, the report said the manufacturing of two Type 093G nuclear subs — upgraded versions of the Type 093 — were completed by the Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co in December, with another resting in a dry dock.

The primary difference between Type 093G subs and Type 093 subs is that the former added a vertical launcher capable of firing cruise missiles and the YJ-18 anti-ship missil, the report said.

Based on available photos, the Type 093G also has a traditional teardrop shape similar to foreign modern nuclear subs, with a wing-shaped cross-section designed to improve speed and mobility as well as reduce noise. Together with the ability to equip YJ-18 missiles.

.Taking cost and price into consideration, Sina Military believes the YJ-18 is powered by a turbojet engine as well as a solid-fuel rocket similar to that used by Russia's 3M-54E missile, guaranteeing warhead acceleration to at least 2.9 Mach.

In addition to being an anti-ship missile, the YJ-18 serializes and universalizes the PLA Navy's missile systems through its compatibility with vertical launchers, laying a solid foundation for building surface warships with greater stealth capabilities.

Foreign media estimates that the PLA Navy curently has 3-4 strategic nuclear subs, 5-6 attack nuclear subs and 2-3 Han-class nuclear subs in service.

The addition of the Type 093G sub, which has a missile attack range of 300km, means it can provide strong support in taking on enemy aircraft carriers along with long-range bombers and surface warships. The Type 093 sub can also use long-range missiles to attack targets on foreign soil, laying a solid foundation for the development of the next-gen Type 095 sub.