Qing-class submarine

"Type 032 submarine" redirects here and is not to be confused with Type 032 midget submarine.

The Chinese submarine with the hull number 201 is a Chinese diesel–electric auxiliary submarine. It is used to test systems and technologies, including test launching ballistic missiles (SLBM).^[3] 201 is the sole member of its class, designated Type 032 (NATO reporting name: Qing).^[1]

Class overview
Operators	People's Liberation Army Navy
Preceded by	Type 031 submarine
History
China
Name	201
Builder	Wuhan Shipyard
Laid down	2008[1]
Launched	9 September 2010[1]
Commissioned	16 October 2012[1]
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	Type 032
Type	Auxiliary submarine
Displacement	3,797 tons (surfaced)[1] ca. 6,600 tons (submerged)[2]
Length	92.6 metres (304 ft)[1]
Beam	10.6 metres (35 ft)[1]
Draught	7.0 metres (23.0 ft)[1]
Installed power	Diesel-electric[1]
Armament	Ballistic missile launch tube

History

201 commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in 2012; the previous SLBM testbed, a Golf-class submarine (Type 031), subsequently decommissioned in 2013.^[1] It participated in testing the JL-2 SLBM.^[3] 201 made the first three JL-3 test launches^[4] starting in 2018.^[5]

Description

201 resembles an enlarged Type 039A submarine, with bow-mounted retractable diving planes, instead of sail-mounted. ^[6] The sail is disproportionately long, and extends below the keel like the Golf-class; at least one ballistic missile launch tube is fitted at the rear of the sail.^[1] In 2017, the height of the rear sail was increased, likely to support the larger JL-3.^[3]