Type 039 Song-Class Diesel-Electric Submarine - People’s Liberation Army Navy, Post-Cold War Era (1/350)

This model represents the Chinese Type 039 Song-class diesel-electric submarine, built in 1/350 scale and finished using acrylics with oils applied for restrained, realistic weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, the model is mounted on a standardized, hand-cut hardwood base painted to resemble a miniature slipway, ensuring consistent presentation across the collection.

The display base incorporates three reference elements: the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure positioned just above and to the right of the flag for size comparison, and a QR code that can be scanned with a cellphone camera (see the side-view photo) to access additional historical and technical information on the submarine.

The Type 039 Song-class marked a significant step forward for the People’s Liberation Army Navy as China transitioned from older Soviet-derived designs toward more indigenous submarine development. Introduced in the mid-1990s, the Song-class incorporated improved hydrodynamics, reduced acoustic signature, and more modern combat systems compared to earlier Chinese diesel-electric submarines. While still conventionally powered, these boats represented an important bridge between legacy designs and later, more advanced classes such as the Yuan-class.

Designed primarily for coastal defense, sea denial, and regional operations, the Song-class enhanced China’s undersea warfare capabilities during the post-Cold War period, particularly within the Western Pacific and surrounding littoral regions. Their introduction reflected China’s broader naval modernization efforts as it expanded its focus on asymmetric and area-denial strategies.