China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)

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Submarine

China

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)

Type 093 Shang

China's second-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine, tasked with anti-ship, anti-submarine and land-attack missions and escorting PLA Navy ballistic-missile submarines. The improved Type 093B variant adds a vertical launch module for land-attack cruise missiles.

In service since 2006 · 1 operator countries

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

300

m depth

7,000

100

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 · 1 operator

In service since 2006. Status: active · ~6 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

Interoperability

Mk 41 VLS-class

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.

Compatible munitions & weapons

Publicly reported weapons the Type 093 Shang can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.

YJ-18 anti-ship missile

CJ-10 land-attack cruise missile Yu-6 heavyweight torpedo

Full specifications

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Firepower specifications
VLS cells Vertical-launch missile cells on a warship, a proxy for magazine depth. Higher means more missiles before rearming.	12 Stronger than 38% of submarines
Torpedo tubes Number of torpedo tubes (submarines and some surface ships).	6 Stronger than 55% of submarines

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Physical specifications
Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.	110 m

Naval

Displacement, speed, endurance and diving depth.

Naval specifications
Displacement Standard displacement in tonnes, the ship’s size class. Larger hulls carry more but cost more and are less agile.	7,000 t
Max speed Top speed in knots (surfaced, for submarines). Higher aids positioning and screening.	25 kn Stronger than 80% of submarines
Submerged speed Maximum speed while submerged (submarines). Higher is faster underwater.	30 kn Top 8% 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 46% of submarines
Complement Crew size. Fewer eases manning cost; more may indicate a larger, more capable platform.	100
Propulsion plant Machinery type, nuclear reactor, gas turbine (COGAG), CODAG, diesel-electric, AIP.	1x nuclear pressurized-water reactor

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Program specifications
Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.	6 Stronger than 55% of submarines
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.	1 Stronger than 39% 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 093 Shang Walrus class

Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij (RDM) Walrus class

View Walrus class ↗

Submarine

Type 093 Shang Suffren class

Naval Group Suffren class

View Suffren class ↗

Submarine

Type 093 Shang Triomphant class

Naval Group Triomphant class

View Triomphant class ↗

Head-to-head comparisons

Type 093 Shang vs

Astute class

Yasen-class

Borei-class

Kilo-class (Project 636.3)

Type 039A/B Yuan

Ohio-class Submarine

Suffren class

Frequently asked questions

What is the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang used for? +

The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang is a submarine typically used for deep strike, anti armor.

How many countries operate the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang? +

The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang is operated by 1 countries.

How much does the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang cost? +

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 093 Shang: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.