PLAN Type 035/039/091/092 Submarine Thread
- Thread starter crobato
- Start date
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II
Upgrades to SSK designs are faster and cheaper than improving an SSN, but I wouldn't say that there's no success in that area. The additional SSNs that will be built later on should demonstrate that.
Upgrades to SSK designs are faster and cheaper than improving an SSN, but I wouldn't say that there's no success in that area. The additional SSNs that will be built later on should demonstrate that.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II
The PLAN is doing what the PLA has always done - make a compromise between what they want and what they could build.
For the PLAN to invest in such a large new ocean going SSK would indeed suggest a lack of confidence in the performance of its existing SSN design.
The new sub would likely form part of the escort package of any new PLAN carriers, so I would expected it to go to the Southern fleet.
If that is the case, then it would also indicate that the first gen of Chinese indigenous carriers will be conventionally powered, thus the use of SSKs would be less of a drag on the overall performance of any carrier battle group.
The PLAN will build a couple of each new successive generation of SSNs as test ships (much like they have done with their surface fleet) until they have reach a point where the performance of a particular class is deemed to be acceptable, at which point the PLAN will probably start mass production (as was the case with the 054A, Song/Yuan, 022 etc).
Whether this is a stopgap measure to fill the operational need of the Varyag or an indication of a lack of confidence in the PLAN regarding Chinese SSNs will probably only be answered based on how many and how fast these new SSKs are built.
If we see large numbers being built quickly, then that would probably indicated that the PLAN does not expect to be able to field a world-class SSN for at least the next decade.
If only a pair or so of the new sub is built, then it would be more likely that these are concept test beds that are also required to meet the operational requirements of the Varyag.
The PLAN is doing what the PLA has always done - make a compromise between what they want and what they could build.
For the PLAN to invest in such a large new ocean going SSK would indeed suggest a lack of confidence in the performance of its existing SSN design.
The new sub would likely form part of the escort package of any new PLAN carriers, so I would expected it to go to the Southern fleet.
If that is the case, then it would also indicate that the first gen of Chinese indigenous carriers will be conventionally powered, thus the use of SSKs would be less of a drag on the overall performance of any carrier battle group.
The PLAN will build a couple of each new successive generation of SSNs as test ships (much like they have done with their surface fleet) until they have reach a point where the performance of a particular class is deemed to be acceptable, at which point the PLAN will probably start mass production (as was the case with the 054A, Song/Yuan, 022 etc).
Whether this is a stopgap measure to fill the operational need of the Varyag or an indication of a lack of confidence in the PLAN regarding Chinese SSNs will probably only be answered based on how many and how fast these new SSKs are built.
If we see large numbers being built quickly, then that would probably indicated that the PLAN does not expect to be able to field a world-class SSN for at least the next decade.
If only a pair or so of the new sub is built, then it would be more likely that these are concept test beds that are also required to meet the operational requirements of the Varyag.
sealordlawrence
Junior Member
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II
Could, would, should, maybe, PLAN builds Star Destroyer? Death Star? USS Enterprise? The SSN programme has yet to demonstrate genuine success and numbers are still very limited, thus a potential gap for large ocean going SSK's.
Could, would, should, maybe, PLAN builds Star Destroyer? Death Star? USS Enterprise? The SSN programme has yet to demonstrate genuine success and numbers are still very limited, thus a potential gap for large ocean going SSK's.
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II
I disagree; the PLAN has always taken evolutionary steps in new combatants, and the new SSK we've been seeing is just the further evolution of the Yuan, and will not fill SSN roles -- SSN's are always faster, and longer ranged; shoes even a ~4000 ton SSK can't fill. That being said I expect them to build more of this new SSK class, but I do not expect them to be escorting an aircraft carrier battle group or whatever -- in the end their range is simply too limited.
The fact that we haven't seen any new development in the SSN area is probably due to the high secrecy (nuclear subs are always more secretive; just remember how difficult it was to come across a pic of the 093 in the early 2000's), and the the difficulty of the steps they are taking to try and get something in the world class, 21st century generation alongside virginia and astute. It probably isnt as urgent as buliding new SSK's either, because we don't expect the PLAN to be going on CVBG patrols within this decade.
Regardless I expect to see pictures of the 095 starting to surface around 2015. Does anyone have any info on how it's going? Tphuang?
I disagree; the PLAN has always taken evolutionary steps in new combatants, and the new SSK we've been seeing is just the further evolution of the Yuan, and will not fill SSN roles -- SSN's are always faster, and longer ranged; shoes even a ~4000 ton SSK can't fill. That being said I expect them to build more of this new SSK class, but I do not expect them to be escorting an aircraft carrier battle group or whatever -- in the end their range is simply too limited.
The fact that we haven't seen any new development in the SSN area is probably due to the high secrecy (nuclear subs are always more secretive; just remember how difficult it was to come across a pic of the 093 in the early 2000's), and the the difficulty of the steps they are taking to try and get something in the world class, 21st century generation alongside virginia and astute. It probably isnt as urgent as buliding new SSK's either, because we don't expect the PLAN to be going on CVBG patrols within this decade.
Regardless I expect to see pictures of the 095 starting to surface around 2015. Does anyone have any info on how it's going? Tphuang?
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II
There is another one that looks like an older song class beside it.
There is another one that looks like an older song class beside it.
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II
The Soviets built Tangos after the November class had been built, did that mean the Soviet Navy stopped SSN development? Neither is the PLAN going to stop SSN development either.
That's pretty much my own assessment too, SSNs fill roles that SSKs simply cannot do no matter how sophisticated, so any lack of news on PRC SSN development is no indication of lack of success by any means.
The Soviets built Tangos after the November class had been built, did that mean the Soviet Navy stopped SSN development? Neither is the PLAN going to stop SSN development either.
That's pretty much my own assessment too, SSNs fill roles that SSKs simply cannot do no matter how sophisticated, so any lack of news on PRC SSN development is no indication of lack of success by any means.