Qing-class submarine

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Class overview
Operators People's Liberation Army Navy
Preceded byType 031 submarine
History
China
Name201
BuilderWuhan Shipyard
Laid down2008[1]
Launched9 September 2010[1]
Commissioned16 October 2012[1]
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeType 032
TypeAuxiliary submarine
Displacement3,797 tons (surfaced)[1]
Length92.6 metres (304 ft)[1]
Beam10.6 metres (35 ft)[1]
Draught7.0 metres (23.0 ft)[1]
Installed powerDiesel-electric[1]
ArmamentBallistic missile launch tube

The Chinese submarine with the hull number 201 is a Chinese diesel–electric auxiliary submarine. It is used to test systems and technologies, including test launching ballistic missiles (SLBM).[2] 201 is the sole member of its class, designated Type 032 (NATO reporting name: Qing).[1]

History[edit]

201 commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in 2012; the previous SLBM testbed, a Golf-class submarine (Type 031), subsequently decommissioned in 2013.[1] It participated in testing the JL-2 SLBM.[2] 201 made the first three JL-3 test launches[3] starting in 2018.[4]

Description[edit]

201 resembles an enlarged Type 039A submarine, with bow-mounted retractable diving planes, instead of sail-mounted. [5] The sail is disproportionately long, and extends below the keel like the Golf-class; at least one ballistic missile launch tube is fitted at the rear of the sail.[1] In 2017, the height of the rear sail was increased, likely to support the larger JL-3.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Saunders 2015, p. 134.
  2. ^ a b c Dempsey, Joseph; Boyd, Henry (7 August 2017). "Beyond JL-2: China's development of a successor SLBM continues". International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  3. ^ Chan, Minnie (January 4, 2020). "China nuclear missile development steps up a gear with test of weapon capable of hitting US mainland". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020.
  4. ^ Shaikh, Shaan (21 December 2018). "China Flight Tests New JL-3 SLBM". Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  5. ^ Wertheim 2013, p. 114.

Sources[edit]

  • Saunders, Stephan, ed. (2015). Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710631435.
  • Wertheim, Eric (2013). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (16 ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1591149545.