In 2002, Chinese sources said the Type 093's noise level was on par with the improved Los Angeles-class submarines. In 2004, Chinese sources said the Type 093 was on par with Project 971 (NATO reporting name Akula), at 110 decibels.[1] In 2009, USN ONI listed the Type 093 as being noisier than Project 671RTM (NATO reporting name Victor III) which entered service in 1979.[16]