Submarine Matters has been searching for hard to find data on diesels used by current Chinese submarines. It appears David Ross's book (below) is quite reliable as a source. This on the basis of the apparent accuracy of all his coverage of nuclear and diesel electric submarines.
According to Ross China's Type 039 Song Submarine has 4 x MTU 16V 396S E84 Diesels with a 7 blade propeller, the Song is believed to displace around 2,286 tonnes (submerged). See:
It is not yet known whether China's follow-on Type 039A/041 Yuan, with submerged displacement of around 3,550 tonnes, has 4, 5, or 6 MTU 396s or MTU 4000s .
According to Ross China's Type 039 Song Submarine has 4 x MTU 16V 396S E84 Diesels with a 7 blade propeller, the Song is believed to displace around 2,286 tonnes (submerged). See:
David Ross, The World's Greatest SUBMARINES: An Illustrated History, Amber Books Ltd, London, UK 2016, indicated on pages 181 and 182. Also see Ross's October 2017 Edition on Amazon.
It is not yet known whether China's follow-on Type 039A/041 Yuan, with submerged displacement of around 3,550 tonnes, has 4, 5, or 6 MTU 396s or MTU 4000s .
Competitors to the West (China, Russia, Iran, N Korea) Submarine Propulsion Table
Country/ Company | Type/ Details | Diesel engine | Motor, Propeller AIP (if fitted) | Alternatives |
North Korea | Golf / | 1 to 3 E390ZC-1? Russian Golf class given to NK with 3 × diesels originally | MTU 16V396SE84 or MAN SEMT Pielstick | |
China | Ming class, Type 033 | 1 x E390ZC-1 | MTU 16V396SE84 or MAN SEMT Pielstick | |
China | Song class (Type 039) & Yuan class (Type 039A or 41) | 2 x MTU 20V4000M diesels are already being offered by China in its warships, eg. the P18 export version of China’s Type 056 corvette | 4 x MTU 16V396SE84 Diesels (see Ross above) built by Yuchai Group . China may bring in MTU 4000s given ita new MTU factory and see MTU Report | |
Russia | Kilo class | 2 x Kolomensky Zavod diesels see 2 1DL42 (ChN 30/38) last sentence & see whole document | 1 x Elektrosila motor Russian. Permanent magnet motors may be installed on new Improved Kilo 636s | Likely to use 4 x MTU 16V396SE84 |
Russia | also see Russ site on D49 | For future Amur class permanent magnet motors are planned. AIP being developed | ||
Iran | Kilo class |