China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)

Product photos coming soon

Submarine

China

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)

Type 039A/B Yuan

China's most numerous modern conventional attack submarine, fitted with air-independent propulsion for extended submerged endurance without surfacing. It is the PLA Navy's primary diesel-electric submarine and has been offered for export, including to Pakistan and Thailand.

In service since 2006 · 2 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

300

m depth

3,600

crew

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Limited · 2 operators

In service since 2006. Status: active · ~20 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Torpedo tubes Number of torpedo tubes (submarines and some surface ships).: 6

Stronger than 53% of submarines

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 77.6 m

Naval

Displacement, speed, endurance and diving depth.

Displacement Standard displacement in tonnes — the ship’s size class. Larger hulls carry more but cost more and are less agile.: 3,600 t
Max speed Top speed in knots (surfaced, for submarines). Higher aids positioning and screening.: 20 kn

Stronger than 45% of submarines
Submerged speed Maximum speed while submerged (submarines). Higher is faster underwater.: 20 kn

Stronger than 29% of submarines
Test depth Maximum rated diving depth (submarines). Deeper is harder to detect and engage. Actual crush depth is classified.: 300 m

Stronger than 55% of submarines
Complement Crew size. Fewer eases manning cost; more may indicate a larger, more capable platform.: 65
Propulsion plant Machinery type — nuclear reactor, gas turbine (COGAG), CODAG, diesel-electric, AIP.: Diesel-electric with Stirling air-independent propulsion

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 20

Stronger than 83% of submarines
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 2

Stronger than 82% of submarines

Specifications compiled from public China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

Compare with rivals

See how it stacks up

Submarine

Type 039A/B Yuan Virginia-class Submarine

General Dynamics Electric Boat Virginia-class Submarine

View Virginia-class Submarine ↗

Submarine

Type 039A/B Yuan Borei-class

Rubin Design Bureau Borei-class

View Borei-class ↗

Submarine

Type 039A/B Yuan Kilo-class (Project 636.3)

Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3)

View Kilo-class (Project 636.3) ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan used for? +

The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan is a submarine typically used for anti armor.

How many countries operate the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan? +

The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan is operated by 2 countries.

How much does the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan cost? +

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 039A/B Yuan: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.