Bronco BB2004 Chinese PLA Navy Type 041 Yuan Class attack Submarine

Yuan or Type 039A is the name of a class of Chinese diesel-electric fighter submarines, designed primarily to destroy enemy submarines (SSKs). The first unit of this type was commissioned in 2006. In total, up to 20 units of this type have been built or planned to be built, of which probably 5 are active and in line. The Yuan-class ship is 77.6 m long, 8.4 m wide, and has a displacement of approximately 3,600 tons. The maximum underwater speed is probably about 20-22 knots. The ships of this type are equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes.

The Yuan ships were developed and put into production in order to supplement and eventually replace the Song-class (type 039) units in the Chinese navy and to replace the old 033 and 035 ships. the use of anechoic coating plates and the use of a very advanced marine propeller. Based on Chinese sources, it can also be said that units of this class have a hybrid air-independent (AIP) drive, but this is not entirely certain. Undoubtedly, however, the Yuan-type units can use a relatively wide range of weapons to destroy underwater and surface targets. They almost certainly also have modern electronic and hydroacoustic equipment. The ships of this type are to be replaced in the Chinese fleet by the type 039C.