China has ordered four diesel-powered submarines of the Russian Lada class power. China's order came just a month after Russia announced to resume the development of Lada-class submarines, and also a year after Russia announced canceling Lada development program.
Russia re-develop the Lada class submarines as part of a joint effort with the Italian company Fincantieri to make the submarine S-1000, as well as other export version of the Lada. S-1000 was actually made by Amur 950 Russian design. It became one of Pepper exports, but the collaboration with Italy that will develop S-1000 will be cheaper (less than 200 million dollars).
To note, the Italian Fincantieri had never built submarine. Previously they focus on building the boat destroyers, aircraft carriers and patrol boats. This company is one of the largest shipbuilding companies in Europe and have more access to Western military technology. This has attracted interest in Russia, and of course also for China.
S-1000 will be manned by 16 crew. Diving speed is 26 kilometers per hour. There are six torpedo tubes and air independent propulsion system (air independent propulsion / AIP) to add resistance in the water up to 15 days or more. The first Lada began construction in 1997, but lack of funds has made this program a wobble. Lada submarine finally completed in 2005. Complex version, called the Amur, is devoted to exports. Yet no interest until the arrival of orders from China. Lada has six 533mm torpedo tubes, a total that can be taken is 18 torpedoes or missiles.
Pepper was developed in the 1990s, as the successor of the Kilo class, but it looks in its development over the years, there has been no significant change between Lada and Kilo. So the program Lada / Amur was canceled last year. The Lada was built and the others only partially completed and may be when this is over. Russia expects S-1000 will trigger the development of various designs Amur. The biggest is the Amur 1650, which is basically a Lada, but some Russian secret equipment had been removed. This seems like the type who would China buy.
Lada has a surface displacement of 1,750 tons, length 71 meters, and is manned by 38 crew. Each crew has their own cabin, even for junior crew cabin size is very small, but still, this will provide a big morale boost for the crew. When submerged, the submarine is able to cruise at a top speed of about 39 kilometers per hour (half on the surface) and can dive to a depth of 250 meters. Pepper is able to remain at sea for 50 days and able to travel as far as 10,000 kilometers using a diesel engine (underwater, with snorkeling). When submerged, Pepper uses batteries and can travel about 450 kilometers. There is an electric periscope (up to the surface via a cable) which has night vision capability and various laser rangefinder.
Lada is designed as a fast attack submarine and ship to scout. They will carry out the mission of anti-surface ship and anti-submarine operations as well as for naval reconnaissance. The submarine claimed eight times more "silent" than Kilo class. This can happen because the Lada using anechoic coating (sound absorbing) on the exterior and slanted vanes very "silent". Similarly, engine, everything is designed so that the submarine was not silent. Sensors are ensured at Pepper, among others, passive and active sonar *, including towed passive sonar. Russian submarine designer seems confident that they will also be able to apply other excellent features on this submarine.
Kilo began operations in the early 1980s. A total of 30 units are Kilo is exported, but the Russians themselves only uses Pounds as many as 24 units. Submarine design was considered a success, especially by export customers. But before the end of the Cold War in 1991, the Soviet Navy began to develop the Lada. The project was stopped in most of the years in the 90s due to lack of funding, but revived in the last decade. At present, Russia has 17 Pounds in services (up six) and six are in order. Aside from these, the decision-making Kilo is for export.
Go to China, the country's Navy also has designed and built submarine "Song" (type 39), a diesel-electric submarines that highlight the features of "stealth" (quietness). China's development is being done is quite sporadic and finally born four submarines that Song Yuan class (Type 39A or Type 41). The original design of the type 39 first appeared in 2001, and 13 units have been built. But in 2008, 39 different types appear. This is called a Type 39A or Type 41. Type 39A appear again before the emergence of a new type that is 39B. Evolution continues to be done by the Chinese, and now there are about six or seven Yuan-class submarine Type 41. The latest models seem to already equipped with AIP systems with new electronic devices and other internal improvements.
The rapid evolution of the Type 39 seems to have inspired the Chinese to adapt technology submarines latest Russian and other sophisticated. China in terms of building new submarines? No. This country has been doing since 1960. But this is only the latest version which shows a major breakthrough and creativity of Chinese scientists. Two or more of the Yuan-class submarine is believed to have used the AIP system that will allow them to last longer in the water (about two weeks). AIP system made in China is not as sophisticated Russian-built AIP system or the West, therefore endurance in the water is low. But the Chinese nation is known as a hard worker, they will continue to develop their AIP systems as they have done on other military technology.
At first glance, Song looks like its Russian Kilo. Types 39 and 41, both weighing 1,800 tons with a crew of 60 crew and six torpedo tubes. Similar to the slightly larger Kilo. China began ordering Kilo class submarines from Russia in the late 1990s. The first two of the Type 41 seems to be a copy of the Kilo 877 models, while the next two Type 41 is a copy of the Kilo 636 models. Type 39 China is the first Chinese submarine has teardrop-shaped hull. Type 41 is considered only from the improvement of the Song, but when examined closely, just like Kilo. Russia believes that the entire project Song / Yuan is part of China's long-term plan that successfully copy Kilo.
China currently has 13 Song class submarines, 12 Kilo class, 7th grade Yuan, and Ming class 18 (the development of the Russian Romeo). For a nuclear-powered, China only has 3 Han-class submarine SSN, because China still has a lot of problems with nuclear power in submarines. Chinese Han-class submarine remained at sea, although they are too noisy and easily detected by Western sensors. Han has built five (between 1974 and 1991), but 2 were retired. There are also 4 Shang class SSN submarines, new to the Chinese Navy, but it is still quite noisy. Class Song / Yuan Ming meant to replace the old. And order four Lada-class submarines will provide ideas and new destinations for Chinese scientists to further development of this type of submarine.
Sources:
http://www.artileri.org/2013/04/ide-baru-china-dalam-membuat-kapal-selam.html
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