Type-039B mod (Yuan)

The Type 039B is a modern diesel-electric attack submarine developed by China, known for its advanced Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. This system significantly enhances its submerged endurance and stealth capabilities compared to conventional diesel-electric submarines.

Developed by the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in the late 2000s, the Type-039B mod was designed to counter advanced regional naval forces in shallow littoral waters by incorporating a redesigned, hydrodynamic sail and integrated flank sonar arrays. The modified variant began entering service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) around 2013, representing a major iterative upgrade in China's conventional submarine fleet. While primarily tasked with regional denial missions in the East and South China Seas, units of this class have also conducted notable long-range deployments, including patrols into the Indian Ocean. Today, the Type-039B mod serves as a cornerstone of China's near-seas defense strategy, with its successful design also forming the basis for export variants sold to Pakistan and Thailand.