MS200 offshore special combat submarine

The MS200, China's first public offshore special submarine, can transport special forces to the sea for thousands of miles. At the Thai Defence 2017 in November 2017, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation exhibited a variety of export-oriented AIP submarines, the most noticeable of which may be the MS200 offshore submarine, which is China's first public offshore special combat submarine. From the introduction of CSIC, the MS200 offshore submarine mainly performs operations in offshore and shallow sea areas, including reconnaissance, surveillance, special operations, patrols, etc. Compared with large submarines, it has a small size, light tonnage, small target characteristics, low cost and The advantages of low cost are ideal tools for these tasks.

The MS200 submarine has a total length of 30 meters, a displacement of only 200 tons, a crew size of 6 and an additional 8 special combat personnel. The maximum speed of the submarine is 8 knots, the underwater range is 120 nautical miles, the endurance is 15 days, and the maximum range is 1,500 nautical miles. Compared with the other submarines with a displacement of more than 500 tons, the MS200 submarine can only be classified as a small submarine. The main purpose of small submarines is to transport platforms for special operations forces for special operations, and torpedo equipment is also used for self-defense, and the number is small.

According to public information, the countries currently equipped with small or micro submarines of less than 500 tons (including micro submarines with a displacement of less than 100 tons) mainly include North Korea, South Korea and Iran. The countries equipped with small or micro submarines are mainly small and medium-sized countries with weak submarine technical capabilities. They are mainly used for special operations, such as carrying special forces to secretly infiltrate other countries for reconnaissance.

Submarines operate mainly underwater, have good concealment, long range, and can submerge near important targets when the other party has air and sea advantages. They are ideal transport vehicles for special operations, but traditional submarines have larger tonnage and larger volumes. Larger maneuvering space is required, and there will be greater restrictions when performing offshore and shallow sea operations. For example, special forces personnel may need to climb out of the torpedo launch tube and then sneak in the sea for a long time before they can land. The physical exertion is very large, especially in high-latitude waters. It takes a long time for special forces personnel to recover physical strength after landing, affecting the execution of the task, and it is easy to expose the target.

Under these circumstances, special offshore submarines have emerged. The biggest feature of this type of submarine is its small size and light tonnage. It can move in shallow waters and narrow seas. It is maneuverable and can avoid obstacles or anti-submarine blocking facilities. It can be carried on its own or by a large submarine, approaching the coast of the opponent to the greatest extent, and casting special operations personnel. Since the submarine is closer to the coast and the target, it effectively shortens the distance of the special operations personnel to the coast or the target, which can help these personnel save physical strength. It can be immediately launched into combat. Historically, offshore special submarines have repeatedly hit large surface ships. For example, during the Second World War, small submarines in Italy sank British battleships, and Britain also used mini-submarines to severely destroy German battleships. The further development of micro-submarines, especially the extensive use of technologies in automation and electronic information, has effectively raised the combat capabilities of high- and small-sized and micro-submarines. In the new century, countries and regions have continued disputes around islands and reefs and exclusive economic zones. Considering many Near the sea, Shallow water, plus large submarine expensive, so small, miniature submarine development ushered in a boom. The United States, Russia, Germany and other countries have developed their own small offshore and micro submarines. In this case, the Chinese navy and the shipbuilding industry have also developed domestically produced small offshore submarines.

According to public data, the MS200 offshore submarine is approximately 30 meters in length, 3.6 meters in width, and 200 tons of underwater displacement. From these data, the size and tonnage of domestic MS200 submarines are comparable to those of Italian S200 and Russian Piranha submarines. Similar, it is a standard offshore combat submarine. Considering that special operations have higher requirements for the quiet performance of the submarine, the MS200 uses a series of quiet performance. It is impressive that it uses a ternary fluid command stack. This command tower can Improve submarine hydrodynamic performance, optimize water pressure distribution, reduce submarine noise, and improve submarine special underwater combat capabilities.

According to the relevant pictures, the MS600 submarine is equipped with two torpedo tubes that can launch torpedoes. The bow should be equipped with a active / passive sonar system, indicating that the submarine has certain combat capabilities and can attack surface ships. The submarine is controlled by 6 people. The submarine has a high level of automation and realizes centralized control and manipulation. As a special combat transport vehicle, the MS200 can carry a special combat unit consisting of 8 people, weapons and equipment, and materials. It is also equipped with a relatively complete communication and navigation system. Command and control special forces, receive combat orders, and direct special forces personnel to perform tasks. The maximum underwater speed of the submarine is about 8 knots, which can travel at 120 nautical miles at this speed, and the self-sustainability at sea can reach 15 days.

The successful operation of the MS200 offshore submarine has effectively enhanced the Chinese Navy's maritime special operations capabilities, especially offshore and shallow ocean operations capabilities. The submarine can use its volume and weight advantages to maneuver to the other side of the coast or near important targets, and launch special operations personnel to execute. The reconnaissance and sabotage missions can also destroy the other side's submarine facilities and submarine communication cables. Since the submarine is equipped with sonar and weapons, it can also perform maritime patrols in offshore and shallow waters, attack the other ships, cast mines, perform electronic reconnaissance, and destroy The other side's maritime traffic line and other tasks.

For many small and medium-sized countries and regions, they cannot and cannot afford large and medium-sized conventional submarines, and have maritime defense missions. They need to be alert to the exclusive economic zone. Therefore, offshore submarines such as MS200 are their ideal tool and can provide underwater economically.