China Deploys Newest Stealth Submarine as Tensions Build Up in the Taiwan Strait

China sends its newest stealth submarine to the Taiwan Strait as tensions build-up due to US support of the island. The People's Liberation Army Navy attack submarine entered service in July 2022, as seen in a report.

Chinese Arms Swarm Taiwan Strait

According to Naval News, the submarine has been presented to China's East Sea Fleet, which is located adjacent to Taiwan. The fleet directly opposes Taiwan's operational control in that area.

Because of its highly tilted sail, the boat stands out from others currently in service. Furthermore, the new submarine is at the cutting edge of Chinese non-nuclear submarine technology, reported The Eurasian Times.

This new submarine, classified as a Type 039 Yuan Class member but perhaps designated as the Type 039C, differentiates itself visually from the Type 039A and Type 039B due to its unique slanted sail.

One of the reasons for a slanted sail is to lessen the radar return of the cross-section, which emphasizes stealth when running above water, making it glide in water with less resistance.

According to sources, the assault sub was brought to Shanghai for the last modifications after getting built in Wuhan. After being deployed more than a year ago, the boat has received certification to serve with the navy of China.

The launch occurred at the PLAN's East Sea Fleet headquarters in Ningbo. The newest stealth submarine is located at the Daxie Dao Submarine Base with older Yuan Class vessels. This base is close to many naval bases and is guarded by a rocky archipelago.

At this base, Beijing's new attack submarine faces off against the Taiwanese Navy in the Taiwan Strait. Most East Sea Fleet's submarine sites are located about 500 kilometers south of Taiwan's main island. It also needs to deal with the Japanese island chain that serves as a natural barrier between the open Pacific and the Pacific Ocean.

PLA Navy's Newest Attack Sub Enters the Fray

The Type 039C Yuan class diesel-electric submarine's initial photographs were uploaded on a Weibo site in 2021. The majority of these submarines serve as the backbone of conventional fleets.

They are thought to have air-independent power (AIP). It employs a technique that uses closed-circuit Stirling engines to power its electric motors underwater.

Chinese design is the same as the Swedish A-26, but the boat is produced in the People's Republic of China. It has advantages over other surface-running subs.

Although the Type 039 rumor is yet to be confirmed, the ship has constructed vertical launch system (VLS) tubes capable of housing and delivering the most recent PLA missiles. However, this is doubtful, given that the sail is the same size as the previous class. It could be armed with the same YJ-18 supersonic anti-ship missiles and torpedoes as the previous vessels.

Type-039C Yuan sail is more advanced than the 039-A to 39-B, and the experts say the design of the sub's sail has a purpose. Except for the sail, which has the exact dimensions as the other classes and displaces 3,600 tonnes, there are no noteworthy differences. Beijing might get about 25 of the Yuan attack sub by 2025.

China sends its newest stealth submarine, the Type 039C Yuan class diesel-electric sub, to the Taiwan Strait as tension is ratcheted by the US.