The Type 035, commonly known as the Ming‑class, is a series of diesel‑electric attack submarines developed and built by the People’s Republic of China for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It is a domestically modified derivative of the Soviet‑designed Project 633 (Romeo‑class) submarines, known in Chinese service as the Type 033.
Development and design
- Origins – Development began in the early 1970s as an effort to improve upon the Type 033, which had been produced under licence from the Soviet Union. The redesign incorporated Chinese‑produced components, upgraded sonar, and improved habitability.
- Construction – The first hull was laid down in 1974 at the Huangpu Shipyard (now Guangzhou Shipyard International) and subsequent boats were built at several Chinese shipyards. Production continued into the late 1990s. Exact numbers are not publicly confirmed; open‑source estimates place the total built—including all variants—at roughly sixty to seventy units.
- Dimensions and performance – The standard Type 035 displaces approximately 1,500 t when surfaced and about 1,800 t submerged. It measures about 84 m in length, 8.5 m in beam, and 4.8 m in draft. Propulsion is provided by two diesel engines coupled to electric generators that drive two electric motors, delivering a maximum submerged speed of roughly 18 knots and a surface speed of about 13 knots. Endurance allows for several weeks of patrol at low speed.
Armament and sensors
- Weapons – The submarine is equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes located in the bow. It can launch heavyweight torpedoes, naval mines, and, in later variants, encapsulated anti‑ship missiles such as the YJ‑8 (C‑801).
- Sensors – Early boats carried a bow‑mounted passive/active sonar suite derived from the original Romeo design; subsequent upgrades (e.g., Type 035A) introduced more modern hull‑mounted and flank‑array sonar systems, radar warning receivers, and electronic support measures.
Variants
| Variant | Principal improvements |
|---|---|
| Type 035 | Baseline model derived from Type 033 |
| Type 035A | Upgraded sonar, improved fire‑control system |
| Type 035G | Integration of anti‑ship missile capability |
| Type 035B (Ming‑II) | Further hull strengthening, modernized combat system, increased automation |
Operational history
The Type 035 entered PLAN service in the early 1980s and formed the backbone of China’s conventional submarine force through the 1990s. It was primarily employed for coastal defense, anti‑surface warfare, and training. By the early 21st century, the class began to be superseded by newer diesel‑electric designs such as the Type 039 (Song) and Type 041 (Yuan) submarines, though a number of Type 035 boats remained operational for secondary roles and reserve training.
Export and foreign service
No authenticated records indicate that the Type 035 was exported to other navies. Its use appears to have been confined to the PLAN.
Current status
As of the mid‑2020s, the PLAN has been decommissioning the remaining Type 035 vessels, with several reportedly placed in museum displays or used for spare‑parts support for other classes. The class is generally considered obsolete by contemporary standards, lacking the stealth, automation, and acoustic performance of modern conventional submarines.