OVERVIEW: The Type 093 aka Type-09III (NATO reporting name: SHANG I) is a nuclear-powered attack submarine.

DETAILS: The Type 093 SSN was likely designed used as an escort for SSBNs and aircraft carrier task forces, as well as for patrol the maritime periphery. Although not as capable or advanced as the latest Western attack submarines, the Type 093 class was a major step forward in China's underwater warfare capability.

The Type 093 uses a water-drop shape hull making it more hydrodynamically efficient and quieter than previous PLAN submarines.  Further quieting is achieved by its use of a single shaft and a highly skewed 7-bladed propeller.   Although quieter than previous PLAN submarines, the USN evaluates it as being noisier than the Soviet-era VICTOR III SSN. 
 
Sensors include a bow-mounted sonar and six (three on each side) H/SQC-207 flank-mounted sonar arrays. 

Armament includes six 533 or 650 mm bow torpedo tubes, capable of carrying various wire-, acoustic- and wake-homing torpedoes, as well as the YJ-82 anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM).


Specifications:
       Displacement: 	6,096 tons submerged.
       Speed:	30 knots submerged
       Machinery: 	Pressurized Water nuclear reactor. 1 shaft, skewed 7-blade prop
      Armament:	6 tubes.  Yu-3/Yu-4/Yu-6 torpedoes
		YJ-82 ASCMs
       Endurance: 	80 days
       Operational Depth: 1049 feet (est.)
       Maximum Depth:    1312 feet 				 
       Complement: 	100
       Hulls built:  2


NOTES: IOC: 2006. Units in class: 407; 408.  The fact that only two hulls were built indicates the PLAN was dissatisfied for an unknown reason with the design.


SOURCES: Office of Naval Intelligence (August 2009). The People’s Liberation Army Navy, A Modern Navy with Chinese Characteristics at https://irp.fas.org/agency/oni/pla-navy.pdf; Pike, J. (2019, 4). Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine. GlobalSecurity.org. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/type-93.htm ; Shang class nuclear-powered attack submarine | military-today.com. (n.d.). MILITARY TODAY - Everything About Modern Warfare. https://www.military-today.com/navy/shang_class.htm