INTRODUCTION

No details have been received from the People's Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)).  However, the PLA(N) is believed to have built all escape and rescue facilities to the specifications of the Russian Federation.  Therefore it can be inferred that PLA(N) submarines with a docking seat can receive a Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV) fitted with a NATO STANAG rescue skirt.   However, a PLA(N) SRV may be unable to accommodate the dimensions of a non-Russian Federation styled hatch and seat.

ESCAPE SYSTEMS

PLA(N) submarines can conduct escape through the torpedo tubes as demonstrated by successful escapes from sunken submarines in 1959 and 1987 (dates to be confirmed).  In both cases it is believed that the accidental sinking was caused by collision in shallow water and that the majority of survivors of the initial incident escaped successfully.

Details of the limits of such escape methods are unknown.

RESCUE VESSELS

Each Fleet of the PLA(N) has a DAJAING Class Submarine Rescue Ship (ASR) with a submarine rescue chamber (SRC).   It is unlikely that these systems will be compatible with a NATO rescue seat.  Each vessel has a large crane on the forward deck for launch and recovery of a SRV.  Despite their size, it is likely that these vessels will be severely weather limited for SRV operations, (as a matter of conjecture it is considered that it would prove dangerous to attempt an SRV  launch above SS 3). 

SALVAGE VESSELS

The PLA(N) operates a large number of salvage ships of various sizes and classes.  It is likely that salvage of a sunken submarine could be accomplished. 

RESCUE VEHICLES

Jane's Fighting Ships lists two "DSRV" in the PLA(N) Orbat.  First tested in 1986 operating from DAJIANG Class ASR.