June 21, 2016, a picture of a Chinese submarine was published in the newspaper of the Chinese navy (人民 海军 报) and quickly made the buzz among enthusiasts.
Its length of around 100m and slightly different shape compared to an SNA type 09III says it would probably be a new variant of this class. Note especially 4 points:
• A: the frontal joint between the solid and the outer shell is slightly rounded and the top of the range, as the new SSK Type 039B Batch 2
• B: the "bump" or "platform" behind the mountains with a height of about 0.6m, using the sailors as a reference object
• C: the presence of what they might be flanking antennas above the waterline
• D: the disappearance of the navigation bridge, or at least the surface viewing windows
The question now is what is the role of this "hump" behind the mountains. Unfortunately, there is very little information to date, but we will try nonetheless to gather some evidence we have access as an amateur.
We know that the Chinese are working to make "multi-purpose" their ANS. Sources close to the Chinese navy had already raised for 2 years developing a certain type 09IIIB, which has vertical launch silos, not for ballistic missiles like the SSBNs, but to host both anti missile -navire and cruise missiles, all controlled by the same combat system.
The level of armaments, I learned already that it is the family YJ-18 is selected: YJ-18B for the anti-ship missile, and YJ-18 ground attack. There are at least 2 other variantzs YJ-18, namely the YJ-18A equipping the new Chinese destroyers like the 052D Type and Type 055 and the YJ-18C is a Sol-Mer version for coastal defense .
This new generation of missile family is close to that of 3M54 Russian Калибр, we certainly remember the Russian strikes on Syrian soil with cruise missiles launched by SSK from mediterranes and two corvettes from the Caspian Sea in 2015. the YJ-18 and the YJ-12 are the two families of Chinese naval missile of new generation, and will eventually replace the YJ-6x-8x and YJ.
On the question of why this form of "bump": The Chinese military standard GJB-5860-2006, which defines the new VLS system design criteria for Chinese surface ships, allows us to infer that the launch tube vertical YJ-18A has a length of 9m, and it is hardly possible that the version or Soum Soum-Mer-Sol is shorter, while the width of a strong 09III type of 8.6M. Assuming its section is circular, so it is logical to think that we must raise a portion of the hull to install the launch system, if we want to avoid touching the diameter of any submarine, or sacrificing performance missile by reducing its length.
well this is seen in a R & D document published in March this year, the launch tubes of the mounting system in a submarine.