A new type of submarine has emerged in China, featuring a sailless design that could provide benefits in terms of speed, maneuverability, and reduced acoustic signature. The submarine, spotted at JN Shipyard in Shanghai, is estimated to be around 394 feet long and 33-36 feet wide. Its intended missions are unknown, but its size and design suggest it could be used for a variety of tasks, including high-speed interception and seabed operations.
The submarine's lack of a traditional sail could impose design constraints, but it also offers advantages in terms of streamlining and reduced drag. The design may be centered on improving performance, including the ability to make transits as quickly as possible during blue water operations.
The appearance of this new submarine is part of a larger trend of modernization in the People's Liberation Army Navy, with an increasing number of modern types and a shift towards nuclear propulsion. The PLAN's submarine force is growing in terms of capability and capacity, with U.S. officials noting that the quality of newer Chinese submarines is approaching parity with American designs.
