A mysterious Chinese submarine breaks cover
This is the MS200 mini-submarine shown by CSOC in 2017. There are similarities such as the sail and dive planes, though it is clearly a different design overall. (Gordon Arthur)
Little is known about a new type of submarine spotted in China, but it is likely destined for the PLA Navy.
The emergence of video footage of a new class of Chinese-built submarine sailing down a river somewhere in China comes as something of an epiphany, demonstrating that China is extremely busy developing its underwater fleet.
There was little indication that such a submarine project was underway, as the black-coloured submarine is not of the Type 039A/B/C Yuan class. The new design is in the order of 50m long, compared to 77.6m for the in-service Yuan class.
Furthermore, rather than the Yuan class’s double-hull design, the newly-discovered conventionally powered submarine seems to have just a single hull. Dive planes are
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![A closer look at the US Navy’s $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031]()
A closer look at the US Navy’s $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031
The recently released USN 2026 Shipbuilding Plan anticipates the procurement of 185 crewed and uncrewed platforms in the next five years.
-
![SAHA 2026: Turkey markets modular undersea systems to European buyers]()
SAHA 2026: Turkey markets modular undersea systems to European buyers
Turkey’s defence industry is pushing a class of platform and building an entire philosophy of cost-imposition around it.
-
![STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent]()
STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent
Turkish defence and engineering company STM is attempting to challenge Europe’s established naval primes by winning contracts from Portugal to Pakistan – with a business model built on working in any shipyard in the world.
-
![First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June]()
First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June
Currently at the block fabrication and construction stage, the HMCS Fraser’s keel-laying ceremony is scheduled to take place next month as a step towards increasing the Royal Canadian Navy's anti-submarine and air defence capabilities.
-
![Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system]()
Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system
Under a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Raytheon will provide SeaRAM launchers, blast test vehicles and technical services for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea3000 General Purpose Frigate programme.
