Huge Chinese Diesel Boat
After generations of not being able to get their nuclear powered boats to work right, the Chinese have gone and built the world’s largest conventional (diesel) sub. The Type 032 Qing-class test submarine is thought that this big diesel boomer will replace a forty-year old Golf class submarine that has been used since the Nixon era to test Chinese SLBMs.
For reference, it is thought to be over 6628-tons, making it very nearly the largest diesel boat ever made (the Japanese I-400 series boats, profiled on a previous Warship Wednesday, in fact drew 6670-tons at full load). Except where the I400 was capable of carrying 3 seaplanes, a 140mm gun, and 8-torpedo tubes, the Qing is capable of carrying the 4500-nm range the JL-2A submarine-launched ballistic missile, CJ-20A cruise missiles and the YJ-18 anti-ship missile. Oh yeah, plus torpedoes.
Previous Chinese nuclear powered boats were considered the brass bands of the Pacific, being heard from miles away by P-3 crews and 688 boat passive arrays. These new ones may be an interesting move in the quiet direction.
Only time will tell.
Hattip to MP.net for breaking the story even before Janes.