BAE Systems Astute class vs China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang
Full specs: BAE Systems Astute class China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang
BAE Systems Astute class and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang are both submarine, compared here on public specifications. The BAE Systems Astute class leads on test depth (300 vs 300 m). Several China-origin figures here are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification, so treat this comparison as directional.
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Full data
Full spec sheet
| Firepower | ||
| Ammunition | 38 | N/A |
| VLS cells | N/A | 12 |
| Torpedo tubes | 6 | 6 |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 97 m | 110 m |
| Naval | ||
| Displacement (t) | 7,400 t | 7,000 t |
| Full-load displacement (t) | 7,800 t | N/A |
| Max speed (kn) | N/A | 25 kn |
| Submerged speed (kn) | 29 kn | 30 kn ✓ |
| Endurance (days) | 90 days | N/A |
| Test depth (m) | 300 m | 300 m |
| Complement | 98 | 100 |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $1,900,000,000 | N/A |
| Units built | 5 | 6 ✓ |
| Operator countries | 1 | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the lower public unit-cost figure at 1,900,000,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher test depth? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the higher test depth at 300 m.
Which has the higher torpedo tubes? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the higher torpedo tubes at 6.
Which has the higher submerged speed? +
The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang has the higher submerged speed at 30 kn.
Which has the higher units built? +
The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang has the higher units built at 6.
Which has the higher operator countries? +
The BAE Systems Astute class has the higher operator countries at 1.
Is the BAE Systems Astute class better than the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang? +
On the public specs we track, the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang leads on 2 of 5 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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