Han-class

Very little has been released on these boats. Almost a wholly Chinese development (except for the French and Russian electronics), the Han/Long March-class is a first generation SSN, which is roughly comparable to the U.S. Skipjack (SSN-593) and Russian November/Project 627 designs from the late 1950's. Without significant acoustic quieting, these boats will be easy targets for almost any current-generation nuclear or diesel attack submarine. One report has the last of the five planned units being lengthened by 8 meters to provide launch tubes for an anti-ship missile system. Another says that the trials of the first unit were somewhat extended, and the class is not entirely reliable mechanically.

Structural/Powerplant

Presumed to be of conventional steel-hulled construction, with a single 90 MW pressurized water nuclear reactor. Turboelectric drive with a single shaft delivering 15,000 SHP to a single propeller. No quieting or acoustic coating is assumed.

Weapons

Six - 21"/533 mm torpedo tubes firing torpedoes and possibly C-801 anti-ship missiles.

Countermeasures

Radio/radar intercept relievers.

Sensors

Thomson-Sintra DUUX-5 sonar, surface search radar and two periscopes.