May 13,2008:
Russia is getting more and more
upset at what it sees as Chinese making unauthorized use of Russian military
technology. The latest irritation is the new Chinese diesel electric sub
design, the Type 39A, or Yuan class. They look just like the Russian Kilo
class. In the late 1990s, the Chinese began ordering Russian Kilo class subs.
Russia was selling new Kilos for about $200 million each, which is about half
the price other Western nations sell similar boats for. The Kilos weigh 2,300
tons (surface displacement), have six torpedo tubes and a crew of 57. They are
quiet, and can travel about 700 kilometers under water at a quiet speed of
about five kilometers an hour. Kilos carry 18 torpedoes or SS-N-27 anti-ship
missiles (with a range of 300 kilometers and launched underwater from the
torpedo tubes.) The combination of quietness and cruise missiles makes Kilo
very dangerous to American carriers. North Korea and Iran have also bought
Kilos.
The
Chinese have already built two Yuans, the second one an improvement on the
first. These two boats have been at sea to try out the technology that was
pilfered from the Russians. A third Yuan is under construction, and it also
appears to be a bit different from the first two. The first Yuan appeared to be
a copy of the early model Kilo (the model 877),
while the second Yuan (referred to as a Type 39B) appeared to copy the
late Kilos (model 636). The third Yuan may end up being a further evolution, or
Type 39C.
The Type
39, or Song class, also had the teardrop shaped hull, but was based on the
predecessor of the Kilo, the Romeo class. The Type 39A was thought to be just
an improved Song, but on closer examination, especially by the Russians, it
looked like a clone of the Kilos. The Yaun class also have AIP (Air Independent
Propulsion), which allows non-nuclear boats to stay underwater for days at a
time.
The
Russian sub building organizations are not amused, and are warning China of
legal action if Yuans are offered for export (and in direct completion with the
Kilos.)