![Naval Ensign of the People's Republic of China](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Naval_Ensign_of_China.svg)
The People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force is the
surface warfare
Modern naval warfare is divided into four operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare, submarine warfare, and information warfare. Each area comprises specialized platforms and strategies used to exploit tactical advantages unique and inhe ...
branch of
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
's
People's Liberation Army Navy
The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN; ), also known as the People's Navy, Chinese Navy, or PLA Navy, is the maritime service branch of the People's Liberation Army.
The PLAN traces its lineage to naval units fighting during the Chinese ...
(PLAN), consisting of all
surface vessels in operational service with the PLAN. The PLAN Surface Force operates 661 ships organized into three
fleets: the
North Sea Fleet
The Northern Theater Command Navy (), or the North Sea Fleet (NSF; ) is one of the three fleets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, under the Northern Theater Command. In September 1950 the Qingdao Army Base was redesignated as a naval ...
, the
East Sea Fleet
The Eastern Theater Command Navy (), or East Sea Fleet (ESF; ), is one of the three fleets of the People's Liberation Army Navy, operating in the East China Sea under the Eastern Theater Command. It was the first naval force formed by the Peopl ...
and the
South Sea Fleet
The Southern Theater Command Navy (), or the South Sea Fleet (SSF; ) is one of the three fleets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, operating in the South China Sea under the Southern Theater Command. It is headquartered in Zhanjiang, G ...
.
Since the late 20th century, the People's Liberation Army Navy is turning away from its traditional focus on
coastal
The coast, also known as the coastline or seashore, is defined as the area where land meets the ocean, or as a line that forms the boundary between the land and the coastline. The Earth has around of coastline. Coasts are important zones in n ...
and
littoral warfare
In military and naval warfare, littoral warfare is operations in and around the littoral zone, within a certain distance of shore, including surveillance, mine-clearing and support for landing operations and other types of combat shifting from ...
and instead prioritizing the development of
blue water
Maritime geography is a collection of terms used by naval military units to loosely define three maritime regions: brown water, green water, and blue water.
Definitions
The elements of maritime geography are loosely defined and their meanings hav ...
capabilities. This has led to a significant reduction in fleet numbers as the PLAN has replaced a larger number of smaller ships with a smaller number of larger, more capable and versatile ships, including
destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort
larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...
s,
frigate
A frigate () is a type of warship. In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied somewhat.
The name frigate in the 17th to early 18th centuries was given to any full-rigged ship built for speed and ...
s,
corvette
A corvette is a small warship. It is traditionally the smallest class of vessel considered to be a proper (or " rated") warship. The warship class above the corvette is that of the frigate, while the class below was historically that of the slo ...
s,
amphibious warfare ship
An amphibious warfare ship (or amphib) is an amphibious vehicle warship employed to land and support ground forces, such as marines, on enemy territory during an amphibious assault.
Specialized shipping can be divided into two types, most crud ...
s and large
auxiliary ship
An auxiliary ship is a naval ship designed to support combatant ships and other naval operations. Auxiliary ships are not primary combatant vessels, though they may have some limited combat capacity, usually for purposes of self-defense.
Auxil ...
s.
According to the ''
2020 China Military Power Report'' published by
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense. It was constructed on an accelerated schedule during World War II. As a symbol of the U.S. military, the phrase ''The Pentagon'' is often used as a metony ...
in September 2020, as of early 2020, China has the largest navy in the world with an overall battle force of approximately 350 surface ships and
submarine
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
s, including over 130 major surface combatants — in comparison, the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
's battle force is approximately 293 ships.
Aircraft carriers
The PLAN Surface Force currently operates three aircraft carriers:
*
Type 004 aircraft carrier - Under development.
*
Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian - Fitting out.
*
Type 002 aircraft carrier Shandong - In active service.
*
Type 001 aircraft carrier Liaoning - In active service.
Development
![Aircraft Carrier Liaoning CV-16](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Aircraft_Carrier_Liaoning_CV-16.jpg)
The 60,900 tonne ''
Liaoning
Liaoning () is a coastal province in Northeast China that is the smallest, southernmost, and most populous province in the region. With its capital at Shenyang, it is located on the northern shore of the Yellow Sea, and is the northernmost ...
'' is the first operational aircraft carrier in service with the PLAN. ''Liaoning'', previously known as ''Varyag'', is an
Admiral Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier which the Chinese purchased from
Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...
in 1998 through a private tourist venture in
Macau
Macau or Macao (; ; ; ), officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (MSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China in the western Pearl River Delta by the South China Sea. With a pop ...
. At the time, ''Varyag'' was only 68% completed and stripped of all military equipment as well as her propulsion. After the purchase, ''Varyag'' was towed to
Dalian
Dalian () is a major sub-provincial port city in Liaoning province, People's Republic of China, and is Liaoning's second largest city (after the provincial capital Shenyang) and the third-most populous city of Northeast China. Located on the ...
, where she underwent extensive refurbishment, coordinated by the
Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company
Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC), located in Dalian, Liaoning province, China. It is part of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), which has since been merged into China State Shipbuilding Corporation to form China's lar ...
. On 10 August 2011, it was announced that the refurbishment of the new ''Liaoning'' was complete, and that the ship was undergoing
sea trial
A sea trial is the testing phase of a watercraft (including boats, ships, and submarines). It is also referred to as a " shakedown cruise" by many naval personnel. It is usually the last phase of construction and takes place on open water, and ...
s.
''Liaoning'' was finally commissioned on 25 September 2012.
In July 2011, a senior researcher of the
Academy of Military Sciences said China needed at least three aircraft carriers for its fleet.
During the same month, another Chinese official announced that two aircraft carriers were being built at the
Jiangnan Shipyard
Jiangnan Shipyard () is a historic shipyard in Shanghai, China. The shipyard has been state-owned since its founding in 1865 and is now operated as Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co. Ltd.
Before 2009, the company was south of central Shanghai at ...
in
Shanghai
Shanghai (; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is one of the four direct-administered municipalities of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The city is located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the Huangpu River flow ...
, the aircraft carriers are reportedly based on a similar design to ''Liaoning'', suggesting a displacement of approximately 65,000 tonnes.
A new Chinese variant of the
Sukhoi Su-33
The Sukhoi Su-33 (russian: Сухой Су-33; NATO reporting name: ''Flanker-D'') is an all-weather carrier-based twin-engine air superiority fighter designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association ...
fighter aircraft, known as the
Shenyang J-15
The Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: 歼-15), also known as ''Flying Shark'' (; NATO reporting name: Flanker-X2, is a Chinese all-weather, twinjet, carrier-based fourth-generation multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporat ...
(or ''Flying Shark'') are expected to fly from the new aircraft carriers.
In 2013, Chinese media reported that the PLAN is designing and planning to build a 110,000 tonne 'super aircraft carrier'. Media reports also stated that the current aircraft carriers under construction are based on ''Liaoning'', but would be larger and would displace around 80,000 tonnes. The PLA Navy plans to establish three aircraft carrier battle groups by 2020. ''Liaoning'' and China's first domestically built carrier, currently under construction, will be part of the battle groups. One of the battle groups is to be deployed in the East China Sea, while the other two are to be deployed to the South China Sea.
On 31 December 2015, it was announced that China was building a second carrier in STOBAR configuration, displacing around 50,000 tonnes, a length of 300m with a capacity of an estimated 50 aircraft. The hull was launched on 26 April 2017 and is estimated to be operational by 2020. PLAN's second aircraft carrier ''
Shandong
Shandong ( , ; ; alternately romanized as Shantung) is a coastal province of the People's Republic of China and is part of the East China region.
Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history since the beginning of Chinese civilizati ...
'' was put in commission on 17 December 2019, one year earlier than the estimation.
Amphibious warfare ships
![PLANS Changbaishan (LSD-989) 20150130(2)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/PLANS_Changbaishan_%28LSD-989%29_20150130%282%29.jpg)
The PLAN operates many types of amphibious vessels of various sizes and capabilities:
Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs)
*
Type 076 — Planned
*
Type 075
The Type 075 landing helicopter dock ( NATO reporting name: Yushen-class landing helicopter assault) is a class of Chinese amphibious assault ships built by Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It has a fu ...
(NATO designation Yushen-class) — 2 in active service, 1 in sea trials.
Amphibious Transport Docks (LPDs)
*
Type 071 (NATO designation Yuzhao-class) — 8 in active service.
Landing Ship, Tank (LSTs)
*
Type 072A (NATO designation Yuting III-class) — 15 in active service.
*
Type 072III
The Type 072III landing ship (NATO designation Yuting-I class) is the follow-on of the Type 072II landing ships initially introduced in the 1990s by the People's Republic of China. Type 072-III features a redesigned concealed bridge, and possibl ...
(NATO designation Yuting II-class) — 11 in active service.
*
Type 072II
The Type 072II landing ship ( NATO designation Yuting class) are large landing ships built by Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard as a successor to the Type 072 landing ship. A total of four hulls have been delivered to the People's Liberati ...
(NATO designation Yuting-class) — 3 in active service.
Landing Ship, Medium (LSMs)
*
Type 073 (NATO designation Yudao, Yudeng and Yunshu-class) — 11 in active service (10 Type 073A, 1 Type 073III).
Landing Craft
*
Type 074A (NATO designation Yubei-class) — 6 in active service.
*
Type 074
The Type 074 landing ship (NATO reporting name: Yuhai-class) is a class of landing ship medium (LSM) of the People's Liberation Army Navy. They were built at Wuhu Shipyard of Wuhu, Anhui from 1995 to 2000. Although entering service in the mid-1990 ...
(NATO designation Yuhai-class) — 12 in active service.
Development
The recent construction of the large Yuzhao-class
amphibious transport dock
An amphibious transport dock, also called a landing platform dock (LPD), is an amphibious warfare ship, a warship that embarks, transports, and lands elements of a landing force for expeditionary warfare missions. Several navies currently operat ...
s (LPDs) (''pictured'') indicates an important shift toward blue water capabilities for the PLAN. However, the
Landing Ship, Tank
Landing Ship, Tank (LST), or tank landing ship, is the naval designation for ships first developed during World War II (1939–1945) to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto shore with ...
s (LSTs) of the 072 series still constitute the core of PLAN amphibious capabilities. With approximately 26 confirmed in service, the PLAN possesses the capabilities to conduct amphibious operations in the
littoral waters of the South East Asian region, as well as a limited capability in outer sea landings. Most vessels are only capable of transporting troops while some are capable of transporting limited numbers of armored vehicles.
In late 2012, it was reported that China may be developing a class of 40,000 to 48,000 tonne
landing helicopter dock
A landing helicopter dock (LHD) is a multipurpose amphibious assault ship which is capable of operating helicopters and has a well deck. The United States Navy (USN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) use the term as a hull classification symbo ...
s (LHDs). They will possibly be known as the
Type 075 class.
Two vessels of this class are known to have been launched with a third believed to be under construction.
''For a list of smaller landing craft of the PLAN, see:
List of active People's Liberation Army Navy landing craft''
Destroyers
![CNS Kunming (DDG-172)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/CNS_Kunming_%28DDG-172%29.jpg)
Destroyers are the largest principal surface combatants in the People's Liberation Army Navy.
*
Type 055 destroyer
The Type 055 destroyer (NATO/ OSD Renhai-class cruiser) is a class of stealth guided-missile destroyers (guided-missile cruisers per NATO/OSD standard) being constructed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. It is a multi-mission desig ...
(NATO designation Renhai-class) — 6 in active service.
*
Type 052D destroyer
The Type 052D destroyer (NATO/ OSD Luyang III-class destroyer) is a class of guided-missile destroyers in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The Type 052D is a larger variant of the Type 052C; the Type 052D uses a canister-type, instead ...
(NATO designation Luyang III-class) — 25 in active service
*
Type 051C destroyer (NATO designation Luzhou-class) — 2 in active service.
*
Type 052C destroyer
The Type 052C destroyer (NATO/Office of the Secretary of Defense, OSD Luyang II-class destroyer) is a ship class, class of guided-missile destroyers in the China, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force (PLAN). The Type 052C introduc ...
(NATO designation Luyang II-class) — 6 in active service.
*
Type 052B destroyer
The Type 052B (NATO/ OSD Luyang I-class destroyer is a class of guided-missile destroyers in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force (PLAN). The Type 052B was China's first modern destroyer designKirchberger (2015): page 195McDevit ...
(NATO designation Luyang I-class) — 2 in active service.
*
Project 956E/956EM destroyer (NATO designation Sovremenny-class) — 4 in active service.
*
Type 051B destroyer
The Type 051B destroyer (NATO reporting name: Luhai class) is a class of destroyer built by the People's Republic of China. It consists of only one ship, ''Shenzhen'' (167). When ''Shenzhen'' was commissioned into the People's Liberation Army N ...
(NATO designation Luhai-class) — 1 in active service.
*
Type 052 destroyer
The Type 052 (NATO/ OSD Luhu-class destroyer is a class of destroyers developed in the People's Republic of China (PRC) for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The Type 052 was an intermediate between the obsolescent Type 051Kirchberger ...
(NATO designation Luhu-class) — 2 in active service.
Development
The People's Liberation Army Navy had traditionally focused on the principles of coastal defense. With this came a series of warship designs based on the
Soviet Navy's destroyers and frigates. The first PLAN destroyers were the
''Anshan'' class, directly purchased from the Soviet Union. These were armed with torpedoes and various surface- and air-warfare guns. The ''Anshans effectiveness in naval warfare was significantly enhanced with the torpedo tubes being replaced by anti-ship missile launchers.
Although retired from the active service, the Anshan class destroyers remain on PLAN's list and act as training ships and perform public relations duties.
Type 051
The
Type 051 ''Luda'' class followed from the 1970s onwards, with many similarities to the Soviet ''Kotlin'' class. The ''Luda''s are armed with six anti-ship missiles and various guns and
ASW weapons. Both the ''Luda'' and ''Anshan'' were key vessels to PLAN's coastal defense doctrines, as small coastal defense destroyers. These ships were all armed with mostly manually operated air defense artillery with no surface-to-air missiles and no ASW torpedoes. One ''Luda'' class ship, 160, was lost in an accident. By the mid-1990s, all ''Anshan'' class destroyers were retired.
Since the late 1980s, the older 051 ''Luda'' have been through various upgrade and refit programmes. One vessel was refitted with a double hangar and helicopter deck. At least four others have been upgraded with HQ-7 short range SAM, new automatic air defense artillery (as opposed to the old manual mounts), torpedoes and sixteen YJ83 anti-ship missiles. Though the other remaining ships continue to retain original weaponry, they had all undergone major refits to extend their surface lives, including satellite communications and navigation systems to allow them to operate beyond coastal waters.
As of 2021, all ''Luda''s have been retired.
Type 052
![Chinese destroyer HARIBING (DDG 112)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Chinese_destroyer_HARIBING_%28DDG_112%29.jpg)
In the 1980s, the PLAN focus shifted toward blue-water multi-role operations, alongside the import of Western systems such as the
General Electric LM2500
The General Electric LM2500 is an industrial and marine gas turbine produced by GE Aviation. The LM2500 is a derivative of the General Electric CF6 aircraft engine.
As of 2004, the U.S. Navy and at least 29 other navies had used a total of mor ...
gas turbines, resulting in the
Type 052 ''Luhu'' class. The first vessel, ''Harbin'' (112) (seen and commissioned by the early 1990s), was a significant shift from traditional Chinese warship design. These were the first Chinese attempt at truly modern combat vessels and there was much more focus on air defense and ASW warfare, including the installation of an 8-celled ''
Crotale'' launcher, a short range missile system later indigenously produced as
HQ-7
The HQ-7 is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the People's Republic of China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by populati ...
. A second vessel, the ''Qingdao'' (113) was launched later in the mid-1990s.
Since the 2000s, the 052 ''Luhu'' class has been through various upgrade and refit programmes. Both 112 and 113 have undergone major refits and both now carry sixteen YJ83 Anti-ship missiles and remain in service.
As a result, two subclasses of destroyers were formed in the PLAN, namely the 051 series and 052 series. There are certain design differences between the two subclasses, such as the 051 series ships using mature indigenous steam turbine engines, compared to marine gas turbines on the 052 series, which were at the time less mature and had to be imported.
Type 051B
![Type_051B_destroyer](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Type_051B_destroyer.jpg)
Near the end of the 1990s, the
Type 051B ''Luhai'' class was introduced as a new design (not based on the Type 051) utilising domestic steam turbines due to Western embargo on the
LM2500
The General Electric LM2500 is an industrial and marine gas turbine produced by GE Aviation. The LM2500 is a derivative of the General Electric CF6 aircraft engine.
As of 2004, the U.S. Navy and at least 29 other navies had used a total of more ...
gas turbines. The class was an attempt at modernising naval construction, utilising more modularity and stealth, as well as refining knowledge accumulated from the earlier Type 052 such as integrating foreign subsystems more effectively. The 051B was still obsolete by Western standards, equipped with only short-range anti air capability and just one ship was built.
167 of the class has since undergone major refits. Similar to the 052 ''Luhu'' class, it carried sixteen YJ83 anti-ship missiles, improved HQ-7 short-range SAM (Based on the Crotale), and had enhanced electronic, sensor and weaponry capabilities. A major refit in 2015 upgraded it with medium-range anti-air capabilities via vertical-launch HQ-16 (32 missiles, 40 km range), sixteen supersonic YJ-12 anti-ship missiles and two
Type 1130
The Type 730 is a Chinese seven-barrelled 30 mm Gatling gun/Rotary cannon CIWS. It has a PLA Navy designation H/PJ12. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar, and electro-optical tracking systems. The maximum ra ...
CIWS.
Type 956E / 956EM (Sovremmeny)
![PLANS Taizhou (DDG-138) 20150817](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/PLANS_Taizhou_%28DDG-138%29_20150817.jpg)
In 1996, China signed a deal with Russia for the purchase of two Type 956E ''Sovremenny'' class destroyers. The first ship arrived in January 2000 and the second in January 2001. These ships significantly improved the PLAN's fighting capabilities. Each ship displaces 7,940 tons full loaded. Weaponry included ASW torpedoes and mortar launchers,
AK-630
The AK-630 is a Soviet and Russian fully automatic naval, rotary cannon, close-in weapon system. The "630" designation refers to the weapon's six gun barrels and their 30 mm caliber.
The system is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and dir ...
automatic
CIWS
A close-in weapon system (CIWS ) is a point-defense weapon system for detecting and destroying short-range incoming missiles and enemy aircraft which have penetrated the outer defenses, typically mounted on a naval ship. Nearly all classes of la ...
cannons, two twin mountings of 130 mm rapid fire cannons, the short/medium-ranged
SA-N-7
The Buk (russian: link=no, "Бук"; " beech" (tree), ) is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Soviet Union and its successor state, the Russian Federation, and designed to counter cruise ...
SAM (48 missiles, 25 km range) and the
SS-N-22 ''Sunburn'' supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missile. Two improved Type 956EM vessels were acquired in 2002, and include a longer range SS-N-22 missile, improved air defense, and the Kashtan CIWS. Although the software was upgraded to accommodate the improved SA-N-12, it is unclear if it entered service.
The class is undergoing refit. Hangzhou (136) has had its SA-N-7 SAM replaced with vertical-launch HQ-16 (32 missiles, 40 km range), SS-N-22 anti-ship missiles replaced by eight YJ-12 anti-ship missiles and fitted with HQ-10 CIWS.
Type 052B
![PLANS Wuhan (DDG-169) 20150610](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/PLANS_Wuhan_%28DDG-169%29_20150610.jpg)
In 2001, production of the 052 line was restarted as the
Type 052B after a replacement of the
LM2500
The General Electric LM2500 is an industrial and marine gas turbine produced by GE Aviation. The LM2500 is a derivative of the General Electric CF6 aircraft engine.
As of 2004, the U.S. Navy and at least 29 other navies had used a total of more ...
gas turbines was found, in the form of the Ukrainian GT25000/DA80. It was initially planned to be the PLA's first modern long range anti-air destroyer featuring a new stealthy design, the domestic
Type 346 flat-panelled
AESA radar
An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna, which is a computer-controlled array antenna in which the beam of radio waves can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the an ...
and
HQ-9
The HQ-9 () is a long-range semi-active radar homing (SARH) surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by the People's Republic of China. The naval variant is the HHQ-9 ().
Description
The HQ-9 is a derivative of the Russian S-300. Justin Bronk d ...
missiles but development of the missile was not ready in time. Hence, it instead adopted many Russian and indigenous weapons and sensors. Just two units were produced.
Its armament included two indigenous
Type 730 CIWS
The Type 730 is a Chinese seven-barrelled 30 mm Gatling gun/Rotary cannon CIWS. It has a PLA Navy designation H/PJ12. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar, and electro-optical tracking systems. The maximum rat ...
(first of its kind in China), sixteen
YJ83 anti-ship missiles, two Russian
SA-N-12
The Buk (russian: link=no, "Бук"; "beech" (tree), ) is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Soviet Union and its successor state, the Russian Federation, and designed to counter cruise mis ...
''Grizzly'' medium-range SAM (48 missiles, 32 km range), torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, a 100 mm artillery mount, and a hangar to hold one
Kamov KA-28
The Kamov Ka-27 (NATO reporting name 'Helix') is a military helicopter developed for the Soviet Navy, and currently in service in various countries including Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, China, South Korea, and India. Variants include the Ka-29 a ...
ASW helicopter.
Type 052C
![PLANS Changchun (DDG-150) 20180420](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/PLANS_Changchun_%28DDG-150%29_20180420.jpg)
In 2002, the
Type 052C followed, using the same Ukrainian GT25000/DA80 gas turbines. The 052C became the first PLA warship with true long range anti-air capability. It included, for the first time, the domestic
Type 346 flat-panelled
AESA radar
An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna, which is a computer-controlled array antenna in which the beam of radio waves can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the an ...
and indigenous
HQ-9
The HQ-9 () is a long-range semi-active radar homing (SARH) surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by the People's Republic of China. The naval variant is the HHQ-9 ().
Description
The HQ-9 is a derivative of the Russian S-300. Justin Bronk d ...
long-range SAM (48 missiles, 200 km range) launched via concentric
VLS, a new anti-ship cruise missile known as the
YJ-62
The YJ-62 () is a People's Republic of China, Chinese subsonic anti-ship missile, anti-ship cruise missile. It is manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Third Academy.
Description
In a September 2014 article publish ...
and two
Type 730 CIWS
The Type 730 is a Chinese seven-barrelled 30 mm Gatling gun/Rotary cannon CIWS. It has a PLA Navy designation H/PJ12. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar, and electro-optical tracking systems. The maximum rat ...
.
Production was stalled after just 2 ships due to initial failures in localising the Ukrainian GT25000/DA80 gas turbines. Production was restarted in the 2010s after success in localising the gas turbines, and in the end a total of 6 were produced.
Type 051C
![PLANS Shenyang (DDG-115) 20150829](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/PLANS_Shenyang_%28DDG-115%29_20150829.jpg)
Due to the stall in 052C production, the 051 series was restarted in 2003 as the
Type 051C, using the same hull and layout as the 051B ''Luhai'' class and domestic steam turbines. Initial construction was delayed by the slow acquisition of the Russian
S-300FM long range SAM.
It was intended to be a stop gap measure to provide long range area air defense to the fleet by mating the mature hull design with proven foreign SAM system that was more capable than that of the Type 052B destroyer. The ship uses concentric
VLS launchers with the Russian
S-300FM air defense missile (48 missiles, 150 km range). Compromises had to be made, such as forgoing a helicopter hangar to fit the S-300FM systems, forgoing the flat panelled
AESA radar
An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna, which is a computer-controlled array antenna in which the beam of radio waves can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the an ...
for a more conventional Top Plate radar and forgoing any CIWS. It also reverted to the older YJ83 anti-ship missiles.
Construction of the 051C was stopped after just 2 ships as the 052C development was finalised in 2008 and continued production.
Type 052D
![PLANS Xiamen (DDG-154) 20180420](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/PLANS_Xiamen_%28DDG-154%29_20180420.jpg)
In 2012, the
Type 052D destroyer
The Type 052D destroyer (NATO/ OSD Luyang III-class destroyer) is a class of guided-missile destroyers in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The Type 052D is a larger variant of the Type 052C; the Type 052D uses a canister-type, instead ...
started construction, with a design largely based on the 052C, but equipped with a universal VLS system that can fire 64 missiles of different variety, an updated
Type 346A flat-panelled
AESA radar
An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna, which is a computer-controlled array antenna in which the beam of radio waves can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the an ...
and a new missile-based
HQ-10
The HQ-10 () is a short range surface-to-air missile designed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), currently in service as a point defense missile system aboard PLA Navy warships.
Development
The system was first adopted ...
CIWS.
The 052D represents the ultimate culmination of the 051 and 052 series of destroyers, with all key systems such as gas turbines, flat-panelled
AESA radar
An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna, which is a computer-controlled array antenna in which the beam of radio waves can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the an ...
s and HQ-9 long range air defence missiles fully localised, as well as a new YJ-18 long range supersonic anti-ship missile.
It has since been mass-produced, with 25 units produced as of 2022, 4 under construction and 8 more planned for a total of 37, more than all previous classes combined.
Type 055
![PLANS Nanchang (DDG-101) 20210427](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/PLANS_Nanchang_%28DDG-101%29_20210427.jpg)
Currently three
Type 055 destroyer
The Type 055 destroyer (NATO/ OSD Renhai-class cruiser) is a class of stealth guided-missile destroyers (guided-missile cruisers per NATO/OSD standard) being constructed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. It is a multi-mission desig ...
s, The ''Nanchang'', the ''Lhasa'' and the ''Dalian'', which are Asia's biggest warships (Aircraft carriers and Amphibious assault ship not included) since the Second World War, are in active service. A total of 8 vessels are planned. The Type 055 destroyer is China's biggest surface combatant until now. It is designed to be a modern, multi-purpose warship, with four enormous Type 346B AESA radars and an integrated mast containing intelligence equipment, electronic countermeasures, and fire control radars. Armament will include 112-cell modular VLS able to operate with a variety of missiles, including land-attack cruise missiles, and a new 130 mm naval gun. Its displacement in excess of 12,000 tons and upgraded VLS capacity has led to the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
classifying it as a guided missile cruiser rather than a destroyer and as a result, analysts have compared it to the U.S Navy's
''Ticonderoga'' class cruiser and the
''Zumwalt'' class destroyer.
Frigates
Frigates are the most numerous principal surface combatants in the People's Liberation Army Navy. In spite of the more recent trend to construction of larger warships, like destroyers, this status is unlikely to change in the near future:
*
Type 054A frigate
The Type 054A (NATO/ OSD Jiangkai II) is a class of guided-missile frigate from the People's Republic of China. It is a development of the Type 054 frigate; compared to its predecessor, the Type 054A has medium-range air defense capability in th ...
(NATO designation Jiangkai II-class) - 30 in active service, 5 fitting out, 6 under construction.
*
Type 054 frigate
The Type 054 (NATO Codename Jiangkai I) is a class of Chinese multi-role frigates that were commissioned in the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force in 2005. They superseded the Type 053H3 frigates. Only two ships, ''Ma'anshan'' (525), and ...
(NATO designation Jiangkai I-class) - 2 in active service.
*
Type 053H3 frigate
The Type 053H3 (NATO reporting name: Jiangwei II) is a class of Chinese frigates that entered service with the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force in the 1990s and 2000s. The class comprised 10 vessels, all of which remain in active servic ...
(NATO designation Jiangwei II-class) - 8 in active service.
*
Type 053 frigate
The Type 053 is a family of Chinese frigates that served with the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force, and a small number of foreign navies.
Nomenclature for Chinese warships was temporarily changed during the Cultural Revolution, and ...
(NATO designation Jianghu-class) - 3 in active service (1 Type 053H1, 2 Type 053H1G).
Development
Frigates were the first large surface combatants made available to the PLAN. The Soviet Union sold several frigates to the PLAN in the 1950s, including the
Riga-class frigate
The Riga class was the NATO reporting name for class of frigates built for the Soviet Navy in the 1950s. The Soviet designation for these ships was ''Storozhevoi Korabl'' (escort ship) ''Project 50 Gornostay'' ('' Ermine stoat''). The Riga clas ...
s. These frigates became the foundation of Chinese built designs, such as the
Type 053 frigate
The Type 053 is a family of Chinese frigates that served with the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force, and a small number of foreign navies.
Nomenclature for Chinese warships was temporarily changed during the Cultural Revolution, and ...
s. These ships were mostly armed with naval guns, though later designs managed to replace torpedo tubes with a twin launcher for SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missiles.
Initial attempts to fit anti-aircraft missiles to frigates resulted in a single ship known as the ''Jiangdong''. The ship was completed in 1970 carrying two twin launchers for the HQ-61B short ranged SAM, this vessel served as the sole PLAN SAM capable frigate until the 1990s. Its effectiveness in engaging missiles and aircraft was thought to be limited. The same hull was later used for the
''Jianghu'' class (Type 053H) class. During the 1970s the PLAN introduced the ''Jianghu'' class. Essentially, a scaled down version of the ''Luda'' class of destroyers, this large class of missile frigates would have many follow-on variants. The first hull, 515 ''Xiamen'' was completed in 1975, and mass production followed until 1996. All ''Jianghu'' class ships are armed with four SY-2 anti-ship missiles (indigenous and improved versions of initial Soviet SS-N-2 Styx). Gun armaments vary across the class, including a single 100 mm mount or a more modern Type 79 100 mm twin mounts. The latest eight hulls (built during the early 1990s) feature automatic twin 37 mm Type 76A AA guns. One ''Jianghu'', hull 516, was refitted recently to carry a battery of 122 mm rockets, fixed on stabilized launchers. A total of 27 ''Jianghu'' Is were built, and they remain in use today with various upgrades and refits to extend their service life. The vessels are deficient in modern anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine fighting capabilities.
The first Chinese frigate to carry a helicopter was a modified ''Jianghu'' II, the ''Siping'' 544, dubbed as the ''Jianghu'' IV class. Only one ship was modified, despite great optimism that most of the class would follow suit. The ''Siping'' is believed to perform more as a test ship, with a single helicopter hangar and a new single 100 mm gun mount similar to the French
Creusot-Loire
Creusot-Loire was a French engineering conglomerate, formed from factories in Le Creusot and Châteauneuf, Loire. The Creusot-Loire subsidiary of ArcelorMittal also includes an Innovation, Research and Development centre for the group.
History
The ...
rapid fire main gun. Its fighting capabilities have been retained with twin SY-2 missiles and AA guns. The fitting of the helicopter hangar meant the sacrifice of the aft SY-2 missile launchers. A further step for the ''Jianghu'' class was made by the appearance of the ''Jianghu'' III/V class, first commissioned in 1986. These ships are the first to have air conditioning onboard Chinese warships. They feature heavy Western influence, and instead of using the SY-2 missiles, they are armed with the YJ8 series. The ''Jianghu'' V class carries the YJ82 with extended range. There are three ships in the ''Jianghu'' III class and six ships in ''Jianghu'' V class.
The ''Jiangwei'' I class was launched in 1991 and represented a shift away from the old ''Jianghu'' concept. Major features included a sextuple HQ-61B SAM launcher, modernized electronics and radar, six YJ8 missiles, automatic Type 76F anti-aircraft guns and a hangar and helicopter deck for one French AS 565 or Z-9C helicopter. Four of the ''Jiangwei'' I were built between 1990 and 1994. Though a great versatile design, it suffered the same weaknesses in air defense, as its SAM had to be manually reloaded as well as unsatisfactory performance. The four ships have been refitted since for life extension, and continue to serve the PLAN. The HQ-61 SAM system was later replaced by HQ-7 SAM systems during refits. The first ''Jiangwei'' II was launched in 1997. This has a similar design layout to the ''Jiangwei'' I but has incorporated major improvements. These included eight (not six) YJ82/3 missiles, octuple HQ-7 SAM (replacing the HQ-61B), improved fully automated main gun, and a redesigned aft structure. Ten ''Jiangwei'' IIs have been built, the last ship commissioned in 2005. All ''Jiangwei''s have since been refitted with a stealthier gun casing for their 100 mm main guns.
In 2005, The ''Jiangkai'' I
Type 054 frigate
The Type 054 (NATO Codename Jiangkai I) is a class of Chinese multi-role frigates that were commissioned in the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force in 2005. They superseded the Type 053H3 frigates. Only two ships, ''Ma'anshan'' (525), and ...
entered PLAN service (hulls 525 and 526). The Type 054 is considerably stealthier than all previous PLAN frigate designs. The Type 054 ''Ma'anshan'' class is armed with an HQ-7 octuple launcher, eight YJ83 anti-ship missiles, a 100 mm main gun, four AK630 CIWS turrets, ASW torpedoes and rocket launchers, carries one Ka-28 Helix or Z-9C, and displaces 3,400 tons. This represents a new generation of frigate design in the PLAN, and a shifting focus on larger multi-role platforms. The air defense missile armament is no better than the ''Jiangwei'' II class although this may be upgraded later. The Type 054 has now been superseded by the ''Jiangkai'' II
Type 054A frigate
The Type 054A (NATO/ OSD Jiangkai II) is a class of guided-missile frigate from the People's Republic of China. It is a development of the Type 054 frigate; compared to its predecessor, the Type 054A has medium-range air defense capability in th ...
, which is in series production. The 054A features a number of important improvements over the original 054. The main air defense armament has been upgraded to a 32-cell
VLS HQ-16
The HQ-16 () is a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the People's Republic of China. It is derived from earlier versions of the Russian Buk missile system.
Development
Development began in 2005, and was reportedly assisted by the A ...
medium-range SAM system, giving area air-defence capability for the first time to PLAN frigates. In addition, the four AK630 CIWS have been replaced by two autonomous
Type 730 CIWS
The Type 730 is a Chinese seven-barrelled 30 mm Gatling gun/Rotary cannon CIWS. It has a PLA Navy designation H/PJ12. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar, and electro-optical tracking systems. The maximum rat ...
. The Type 054A is altogether a well balanced and stealthy frigate design, with considerable firepower and multi-role versatility.
Corvettes
![Type 056 corvette 583 Ganzhou](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Type_056_corvette_583_Ganzhou.jpg)
Corvettes are the smallest principal surface combatants in the People's Liberation Army Navy. Traditionally the PLAN operated extensive fleets of missile and gun boats for defence of its littoral waters. However, as the PLAN moved towards developing blue water capabilities, there is a growing need to replace a larger number of smaller vessels with a smaller number of larger and much more capable vessels:
*
Type 056 corvette
The Type 056 corvette (NATO reporting name: Jiangdao-class corvette) is a class of warship deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). They replace older patrol craft and some of the Type 053H frigates. The first Type 056 entere ...
(NATO designation Jiangdao-class) - 50+ in active service. (?? Type 056, 50 Type 056A).
Note: Some Type 056 retired and transferred to CCG. Number transferred unclear.
Development
Following the designing and building of the
Pattani class corvette for the
Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy ( Abrv: RTN, ทร.; th, กองทัพเรือไทย, ) is the naval warfare force of Thailand. Established in 1906, it was modernised by the Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse (1880–1923) who is known as ...
in the mid-2000s, speculation of a domestic variant of the design was rife. The speculations were confirmed in November 2010 during a visit by Maj. Gen. Wang Junli, Deputy commander of the
Hong Kong Garrison
The People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison is a garrison of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), responsible for defence duties in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) since the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to ...
and the
Hong Kong University
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) (Chinese: 香港大學) is a public research university in Hong Kong. Founded in 1887 as the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, it is the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong. HKU was also the fir ...
's Vice-Chancellor
Tsui Lap-chee
Lap-Chee Tsui (; born 21 December 1950) is a Chinese-born Canadian geneticist and served as the 14th Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong.
Personal life
Tsui was born in Shanghai. He grew up in Kowloon, Hong Kong and at ...
when a model of the Type 056 was presented. The first ship was launched in May 2012.
Though the Type 056 appears in the 21st century, the design concept can be referred to as early as the 1980s, when the PLAN were considering developing a larger patrol ship to replace the Type 037 to improve the living conditions on the ship, which was firstly called by Type 038. However, this concept was not realized until the appearance of Type 056 in 2012 due to the shortage of funds.
The Type 056 has a stealthy hull design with sloped surface and a reduced superstructure clutter. There is a
helipad
A helipad is a landing area or platform for helicopters and powered lift aircraft.
While helicopters and powered lift aircraft are able to operate on a variety of relatively flat surfaces, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard s ...
at the stern for a light helicopter but has no organic helicopter support facilities. The main anti-ship armament consists of
YJ-83
The YJ-83 (; NATO reporting name: CSS-N-8 Saccade) is a Chinese subsonic anti-ship cruise missile. It is manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Third Academy.Gromley et al.: page 101
Description
The YJ-83 uses m ...
sea-skimming
anti-ship cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile used against terrestrial or naval targets that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path at approximately constant speed. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhe ...
s in two twin-cell launchers. The primary anti-aircraft armament is one FL-3000N short range missile system with 8 rounds. A 76 mm main gun based on a Russian
AK-176
The AK-176 is a Soviet naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mou ...
is mounted forward. 2 triple torpedo tubes are mounted for ASW operations. Type 056 is the first Chinese warship with modular design, which makes it cover the roles from OPV to multi-role frigate. The PLAN used versions may include patrol type, ASW type, ASuW type, AAW type and commander type; while the export versions can be quite differently fitted according to consumer's requirement. For the moment, at least 3 variants of Type 056 for export exist with the same design of hull but varying bridge designs and armament layouts. A total of 20 corvettes are initially planned, but it is expected that anywhere up-to 60 corvettes could be eventually brought into active service.
At present, there are 2 variants of the Jiangdao-class in PLAN service - Type 056 and Type 056A. The main difference between the 2 variants is the addition of towed passive sonar line array and towed active variable depth sonar on Type 056A, giving this variant a significant ASW capability. The breakdown of numbers of the 2 variants is 22 Type 056 and 50 Type 056A, totaling 72 vessels across the 2 variants.
Some Type 056 have been retired and are being transferred to the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG). This move is expected to significantly boost Chinese Coast Guard capabilities.
Missile boats, submarine chasers and gunboats
![Houbei (Type 022) Class Fast Attack Craft](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Houbei_%28Type_022%29_Class_Fast_Attack_Craft.JPG)
With increasing acquisition of destroyers, submarines, frigates and auxiliary support assets, missile and gun boats mostly disappeared from the PLAN fleet, with numbers reduced dramatically. However new classes of missile attack boats continue to be built to replace older types:
*
Type 22 missile boat
The Type 22 ( NATO designation: ''Houbei'' class) missile boat is a ship class in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The first boat was launched in April 2004 by the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard at Shanghai. The boats incorporate stealth fea ...
(NATO designation Houbei-class) - 60 in active service
*
Type 037II missile boat (NATO designation Houjian-class) - 5 in active service
*
Type 037IG missile boat (NATO designation Houxin-class) - 8 in active service
*
Type 037I submarine chaser (NATO designation Haiqing-class) - 6 in active service (Type 037IS variant)
*
Type 062I gunboat (NATO designation Shanghai III-class)
Development
The PLAN's main focus until the 1980s was a sharp emphasis on coastal defense and littoral warfare. This was influenced from early engagements where the Communist forces found the value of small maneuverable craft against larger, better armed but slower Nationalist ships. Early littoral craft in the PLAN's inventory included riverine craft and gun boats converted from various ships. This was later added to in the 1950s by Soviet-designed gun and torpedo attack craft. Such gun craft included the ''Kronstadt'' class heavily armed gun boats which served the PLAN until the 1980s. Soviet missile attack craft were later added to the fleet, including the Komar and Osa type fast attack missile craft. Although most littoral designs bore Soviet influence, there were quite a few indigenous designs or copies of Soviet-type craft. Hundreds of vessels were deployed by the fleet, serving as the backbone of the PLAN until a higher emphasis was placed upon bluewater naval operations. Despite availability of frigates and destroyers, the brunt of PLAN involvement in small-scale conflicts have been borne by the littoral forces. For instance, the various naval engagements between Chinese and Vietnamese naval forces were carried out by PLAN littoral craft.
Today missile boats compose of the ''Houjian'', ''Houxin'' and ''Houbei'' classes. The 478-ton ''Houxin'' design is based on the Hainan-class hull, but with a redesigned superstructure, new systems, two automatic twin-37 mm guns and four YJ8 series anti-ship missiles. Around 28 are in service, built since the 1990s. A much more sophisticated and stealthy design is the 520-ton ''Houjian'' class. Main armament of the Houjian design is the twin 37 mm mount, two 30 mm twin turrets, and six YJ8 series anti-ship missiles.
The latest generation missile attack craft is the 220X (''Houbei'') design. Seen since 2005, its most distinctive feature is its trimaran hull that can achieve maximum wave piercing performance at high speeds. The stealthy design has two missile-houses, that can possibly be fitted with various ordnance. Eight missiles of the YJ83 anti-ship missiles are believed to be carried, as well as a single AK630 CIWS for self-defense. Four hulls emerged by 2005, with another eight to twelve others being constructed as of 2006.
Submarine chasers are plentiful in the PLAN and serve to screen China's territorial waters against submarine incursions. The ''Hainan'' class has proven itself to be a reliable design in many roles. Its main armament is two twin 57 mm guns, and two 25 mm AAA. The Hainan is also armed with anti-submarine multi-barrelled rockets and depth charges. There is provision for the fitment of four YJ8 series anti-ship missiles as well. The ''Haiqing'' class is a second generation improvement over the Hainan, with redesigned superstructure, automatic 37 mm AA guns and newer generation sonars and ASW equipment.
Mine countermeasures
The People's Liberation Army Navy operates three mine countermeasure classes and a single mine layer class:
*
Type 081 mine countermeasure vessel
Type 081 mine countermeasure vessel ( NATO reporting name Wochi-class) is a Chinese minesweeper/minehunter currently in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The second batch is often designated as Type 081A.
Type 081
Type 081 ...
(NATO designation Wochi-class) - 10 in active service.
*
Type 082II mine countermeasure vessel (NATO designation Wozang-class) - 2 in active service.
*
Type 082 mine countermeasure vessel The Type 082 class minesweeper is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship class. It is also known as Wosao class in the west, but the Chinese media has translated the name as Wusao, short for armed (''Wu''-zhuang, 武裝) mine sweeping ...
(NATO designation Wosao-class) - 17 in active service.
Development
Despite the extensive use of mines as a strategically important defensive and offensive weapon, the PLAN operates only a small number of mine warfare ships. These boats comprised mine-laying and mine-sweeping types. The PLAN operates a single ''Wolei'' class mine-layer. This ship was commissioned in 1988 and displaces 2,300 tons full load. It can carry and lay up to 300 mines. There is little need of a dedicated mine-laying type however, as most PLA surface and submarine combatants can lay minefields.
Minesweepers have served the PLAN since its founding. Currently two new classes of minesweeper have emerged since the late 1980s (Type 082 and Type 082II) and a single class since the 2000s (Type 081). Coastal minesweeping is primarily conducted by the Type 082 class. Blue-water minesweeping is fulfilled by the Type 082II and Type 081 classes.
Fleet replenishment
Fleet replenishment has been an expanding element in PLAN auxiliaries. The PLAN view the need of replenishment ships as vital for blue water fleet operations:
*
Type 901 fast combat support ship
The Type 901 (NATO reporting name: ''Fuyu''-class, also known as ''Hulunhu''-class) is a class of fast combat support ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.
Design
The Type 901 is estimated to have a 45,000 ton displacement and a b ...
(NATO designation Fuyu-class) - 2 in active service, 1 under construction.
*
Type 903 replenishment ship
The Type 903 (NATO reporting name: ''Fuchi'') is a class of replenishment oiler (AOR) built for the People's Liberation Army Navy by the People's Republic of China. They resemble , an AOR built by China for Thailand and delivered in 1996.
Two Type ...
(NATO designation Fuchi-class) - 9 in active service (2 Type 903, 7 Type 903A).
*
Type 904 general stores issue ship
Type 904 general stores issue ship and its successors Type 904A and Type 904B are second generation general stores issue ships currently in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). A total of five units have been built and as of mid ...
(NATO designation Dayun-class) - 4 in active service (1 Type 904, 1 Type 904A, 2 Type 904B).
*
Type 908 replenishment ship
''Qinghaihu'' is a replenishment oiler of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Ukraine sold the incomplete ship in 1992 to the People's Republic of China, where it was completed and commissioned in 1996.
In Chinese service, the ship was p ...
(NATO designation Fusu-class) - 1 in active service.
Development
Since the 1970s, underway replenishment has been widely practiced by destroyer and frigate combatants. In many overseas visits, a tanker has traditionally accompanied the visiting ship. The first replenishment ships built for the dedicated task of fleet refueling were the Fuqing-class replenishment ship, of which two remain in service. The next fleet replenishment vessel was purchased from Russia in the 1990s, being the single ''Nancang'' (Fusu-class). This ship is significantly superior to the Fuqing-class in terms of refueling systems and the storage capacity. Two new hulls of the indigenous Fuchi-class were commissioned into service by 2005. With five ships (and possibly a sixth vessel), the PLAN's ability to operate further away from home has been significantly enhanced. The demands of modern-day warfare has meant that logistic support ships in the navy are becoming vital.
Auxiliaries
The PLAN operates a very large number and variety of auxiliary vessels that are capable of supporting fleet and military operations both in a coastal and ocean theatres of war. PLAN auxiliary vessels are present in all three fleets, stationed in many naval bases and have increasingly exercised frequently alongside combatants. PLAN auxiliaries include tugboats, freighters, submarine tenders, research, survey ships, missile and satellite monitoring platforms, ice breakers, repair and communications, electronic warfare and monitoring, transport and training ships. Unlike warships of PLAN that are named per
Naval Vessels Naming Regulation The Naval Vessels Naming Regulation () is a regulation that governs the naming of vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. It was published by the PLAN on November 18, 1978, and was revised on July 10, 1986.
Nomenclature
The regula ...
which many PLAN auxiliaries do not follow, but instead, they are designated by a combination of two Chinese characters followed by a two or three-digit number. The first Chinese character denotes which Chinese fleet the ship is service with, with East (Dong, 东) for
East Sea Fleet
The Eastern Theater Command Navy (), or East Sea Fleet (ESF; ), is one of the three fleets of the People's Liberation Army Navy, operating in the East China Sea under the Eastern Theater Command. It was the first naval force formed by the Peopl ...
, North (Bei, 北) for
North Sea Fleet
The Northern Theater Command Navy (), or the North Sea Fleet (NSF; ) is one of the three fleets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, under the Northern Theater Command. In September 1950 the Qingdao Army Base was redesignated as a naval ...
, and South (Nan, 南) for
South Sea Fleet
The Southern Theater Command Navy (), or the South Sea Fleet (SSF; ) is one of the three fleets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, operating in the South China Sea under the Southern Theater Command. It is headquartered in Zhanjiang, G ...
. The second Chinese character is for
hull classification
The United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use a hull classification symbol (sometimes called hull code or hull number) to identify their ships by type and by ind ...
, such as Barge (Bo, 驳) for
barge
Barge nowadays generally refers to a flat-bottomed inland waterway vessel which does not have its own means of mechanical propulsion. The first modern barges were pulled by tugs, but nowadays most are pushed by pusher boats, or other vessels ...
, Survey (Ce, 测) for
survey vessel
A survey vessel is any type of ship or boat that is used for underwater surveys, usually to collect data for mapping or planning underwater construction or mineral extraction. It is a type of research vessel, and may be designed for the purpo ...
, Oil (You, 油) for
oil tanker
An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a ship designed for the bulk transport of oil or its products. There are two basic types of oil tankers: crude tankers and product tankers. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crud ...
, Repair (Xiu, 修) for
repair ship
A repair ship is a naval auxiliary ship designed to provide maintenance support to warships. Repair ships provide similar services to destroyer, submarine and seaplane tenders or depot ships, but may offer a broader range of repair capability incl ...
, Rescue (Jiu, 救) for rescue ship, Transport (Yun, 运) for transport &
cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is a merchant ship that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year, handling the bulk of international trade. Cargo ships are usu ...
, Tuo (tug, 拖) for
tugboat
A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they cannot or should not move under their own power, su ...
, Water (Shui, 水) for water tanker, etc. When auxiliaries are reassigned to a different fleet, their pennant number would change accordingly. Some PLAN naval auxiliaries perform multiple functions and thus are referenced multiple times differently under various
hull classification
The United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use a hull classification symbol (sometimes called hull code or hull number) to identify their ships by type and by ind ...
s. Furthermore, when PLAN auxiliaries are tasked to perform certain civilian missions such as in support of civilian research or construction projects, they are sometimes temporarily assigned different pennant numbers for the duration of those missions, thus making the accurate assessment of PLAN auxiliary fleet rather difficult.
In addition, some PLAN auxiliaries especially
research vessel
A research vessel (RV or R/V) is a ship or boat designed, modified, or equipped to carry out research at sea. Research vessels carry out a number of roles. Some of these roles can be combined into a single vessel but others require a dedicated ...
s are jointly funded by other civilian agencies of Chinese government, and frequently conduct missions for these civilian agencies/departments, just like the way
Protezione Civile
The (Civil Protection), officially (Civil Protection Department), is the national body in Italy that deals with the prediction, prevention and management of emergency events. It was established in 1992 by , which was updated in 2012, and it is ...
funded Italian
San Giorgio-class amphibious transport dock
The ''San Giorgio'' class are amphibious transport docks (LPD) built by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy. These ships can carry a battalion of troops, and up to 36 armored vehicles. The stern floodable dock can accommodate three landing craft. T ...
(LPD) of the
Italian navy
"Fatherland and Honour"
, patron =
, colors =
, colors_label =
, march = ( is the return of soldiers to their barrack, or sailors to their ship after a ...
, and thus also performs disaster relief missions in addition to military operations.
When these jointly owned and/or funded PLAN naval auxiliaries are subject to civilian agencies/departments & perform missions for them, they are often assigned a different pennant number & name, just as in some cases of PLAN naval auxiliaries are sometimes assigned different pennant numbers when performing certain civilian missions, thus making the accurate count of the PLAN auxiliary fleet even more complicated and difficult. Therefore, list provided here is seldom up-to-date. The following is a list of auxiliaries thought to be in service with the PLAN as of 2014–2015, but please note that it is a work in progress and often may not yet be complete and up to date.
; Hospital ships
* 1
Type 920 hospital ship
''Daishan Dao'' is a Type 920 hospital ship of the People's Liberation Army Navy of the People's Republic of China. ''Daishan Dao'' is also known as ''Peace Ark'' during peacetime, and has received NATO reporting name Anwei class (meaning comfo ...
(NATO designation Anwei-class)
* 1
Chinese medical evacuation ship Zhuanghe
''Zhuanghe'' (865) () is a converted container ship that entered service with People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) South Sea Fleet in 2004. The modular container ship is intended for various missions with the primary task of medical evacuation, bu ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 1
Qiongsha-class ambulance transport (NATO designation Qiongsha-class)
; Icebreakers
* 2
Type 272 icebreaker
Type 272 icebreaker is the third generation icebreaker indigenously developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to replace its predecessor Type 210 icebreaker, and Type 272 has received NATO reporting name ''Yanrao'' class.
T ...
(NATO designation Yanrao-class)
* 1
Type 210 icebreaker
Type 210 icebreaker with NATO reporting name Yanbing (延冰) class is the second generation icebreaker indigenously developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to replace Type 071/071A/071G Yanha class icebreakers, and itself ...
(NATO designation Yanbing-class)
* 3
Type 071 icebreaker
Type 071 icebreaker with NATO reporting name Yanha (延哈) class is the first generation icebreaker indigenously developed in China for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). A total of two ships in three different type configurations were ...
(NATO designation Yanha-class)
; Barracks ship
* 1
Chinese barracks ship Xu Xiake (NATO designation Daguan-class)
; Troop transport/ferry & cargo
* 5
Qiongsha-class cargo ship
Qiongsha (琼沙)-class cargo ship is a class of Chinese ship developed by China for its People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Originally intended as replacement of Galați-class cargo ship, these ships are mainly used for supplying garrisons in ...
(NATO designation Qiongsha-class)
* 1 Beidiao 990
;Training ships
![PLA Navy Ships Zhenghe and Weifang off Visakhapatnam, India in May 2014](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/PLA_Navy_Ships_Zhenghe_and_Weifang_off_Visakhapatnam%2C_India_in_May_2014.jpg)
* 1
Type 680 training ship (NATO designation Dadu-class)
* 1
Type 679 training ship
The Type 679 training ship with NATO reporting name Daxin, or 大兴 in Chinese meaning Great Prosper, is a Chinese training ship developed for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The ship is more commonly known as ''Zheng He'' , after the Mi ...
(NATO designation Daxin-class)
* 1
Type 0891A training ship (NATO designation Dashi-class)
*
2 Type 053 frigate (NATO designation Jianghu-class) - (2 Type 053H1G)
;Cargo transport
* 3
Yantai-class (NATO designation Yantai-class)
* 5
Type 081 cargo ship (NATO designation Hongqi-class)
* 13
Danlin-class cargo ship
The Danlin-class cargo ship is a class of Chinese cargo ship that is in service with People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Danlin-class cargo ships are the armed version of its unarmed sister ship in civilian service, and both entered service bet ...
(NATO designation Danlin-class)
* 4
Dandao-class (NATO designation Dandao-class)
* 2
Galați-class cargo ship
The Galati-class cargo ship (as designated by NATO) is a is a class of cargo ship of the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy. Two were converted in the early-1970s from nine ships built in the 1960s at the Santieral Shipyar ...
(NATO designation Galați-class)
; Coastal oil tankers
* 9
Leizhou-class tanker (NATO designation Leizhou-class)
* 8
Fulin-class oil tanker (NATO designation Fulin-class)
* 2
Shengli-class oil tanker (NATO designation Shengli-class)
* 7
Fuzhou-class tanker (NATO designation Fuzhou-class)
* 3
Jinyou-class oil tanker
The Jinyou-class oil tanker is a class of Chinese tanker ship that is in service with People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). A total of three units were built by Japanese Kanashashi Shipyard and entered service with PLAN between 1989 – 1990. The ...
(NATO designation Jinyou-class)
; Ballistic missile tracking
![YuanWang2c](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/YuanWang2c.JPG)
* 6
Yuan Wang-class tracking ship
The Yuan Wang-class of tracking ships () are used for tracking and support of satellite and intercontinental ballistic missiles by the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force of the People's Republic of China (PRC). It is important to n ...
(NATO designation Yuanwang-class)
; Intelligence gathering
![PLANS Beijixing (AGI-851) 20120514](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/PLANS_Beijixing_%28AGI-851%29_20120514.jpg)
* 1
Type 813 spy ship
Type 813 spy ship is the first purpose-built, indigenously designed spy ship entering service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
Type 813 is the result of the urgent need of specialized spy ship for intelligence gathering missions in ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 1
Type 814A spy ship
Type 814A spy ship with NATO reporting name Dadie(大谍, meaning Big Spy) is a type of Chinese spy ship in service (as of 2014) with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Originally, a total of four ships were planned, but eventually, only o ...
(NATO designation Dadie-class)
* 6
Type 815 spy ship
The Type 815, as well as its derivatives Type 815G and Type 815A, are Chinese electronic surveillance ships in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Type 815 spy ship has received NATO reporting name Dongdiao class (meaning Ea ...
(NATO designation Dondiao-class)
; Oceanographic surveillance ships
* 2
Type 595 ocean surveillance ship Type 595 ocean surveillance ship is the first purposely designed and purposely built ocean surveillance ship developed in China for its People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Designed to replace earlier Shuguang class, Type 595 itself has been repl ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 1
Type 639 oceanographic surveillance ship
Type 639 is a type of ocean surveillance ship is a type of oceanographic surveillance ship developed by China for its People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to replace earlier Type 595. A single unit of Type 639 with pennant number Bei-diao 992 is ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 3
Type 927 acoustic surveillance ship
Type 927 acoustic surveillance ship is a type of vessel used by the People’s Liberation Army Navy. There are three known Type 927 ships, plus one predecessor Ruili No.10, which is slightly larger than Type 927 ships, and it was used to test onboa ...
s
; Oceanographic research, meteorological and hydrographic survey ships
* 1
Chinese oceanographic research ship Xiangyanghong 5 Chinese oceanographic research ship Xiangyanghong (向阳红, meaning facing the sun in red) 5 in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). In addition to performing oceanographic research duties, the most important mission of Xiangyan ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 1
Type 645 oceanographic research ship
Type 645 oceanographic research ship is an oceanographic ship developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and other Chinese civilian establishments.
Type 645 was an experimental program of the Fourth five-year plan of China an ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 8
Type 625 research vessel Type 625 oceanographic research ship is a series of oceanographic research ship developed by China for its People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The series consisted of three models, A, B & C, but A & B are usually grouped together as one because C ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 5
Type 614 research vessel (NATO designation unknown)
* 5
Type 635 hydrographic survey ship
Type 635 hydrographic survey ship is a series of hydrographic survey ships developed by China for its People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). More successful than Type 625 of the same era, Type 635 still remains active in PLAN after half a centur ...
(NATO designation Yanlai-class)
* 6
Type 636 hydrographic survey ship (NATO designation unknown)
* 1
Type 988 hydrographic survey ship
Type 988 oceanographic surveillance ship is a type of Chinese survey vessel that is in service with both the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Chinese civilian establishments.
Type 988 oceanographic surveillance ship is designed by the 1st ...
(NATO designation unknown)
; Submarine support
* 1
Type 930 submarine rescue ship (NATO designation Hudong-class)
* 3
Type 946 submarine rescue ship (NATO designation Dazhou, Dadong-class)
* 3
Type 925 submarine support ship
The Type 925 Dajiang with NATO reporting name Dajiang, or 大江 in Chinese, meaning Great River, is a type of naval auxiliary ship belonging to the People's Republic of China. Each ship is usually equipped with up to two Type 7103 DSRV class D ...
(NATO designation Dajiang-class)
* 3
Type 926 submarine support ship
Type 926 submarine support ship with NATO reporting name Dalao is a class of submarine rescue and supply ship developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and as of mid-2014, a total of three are in service. This ship is capab ...
(NATO designation Dalao-class)
* 1
Type 648 repair ship (NATO designation unknown)
; Torpedo trials/retriever
* 1
Type 906 torpedo trials craft (NATO designation unknown)
* 1
Type 907A torpedo trials craft Type 907A torpedo trial craft is a Chinese torpedo trial craft currently in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). After nearly three decades of service, the ship still remains active.
Type 907A is designed by the 708th Institute o ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 7
Type 917 torpedo retriever (NATO designation unknown)
; Weapons trials
* 3
Type 909 weapon trials ship (NATO designation Wuhu-B-class)
; Sonar trials
* 1
Chinese sonar trials ship Beidiao 993
''Beidiao 993'' ( 993) is an experimental ship chartered by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and operated by the 760th Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), receiving NATO reporting name ''Kantan' ...
(NATO designation Beidiao-class)
; Experimental ships
*
Chinese target ship Experiment 216
Chinese can refer to:
* Something related to China
* Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity
**''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation
** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...
(NATO designation unknown)
; Rescue and salvage
* 6
Type 922 rescue and salvage ship Type 922 rescue and salvage ship is a series of rescue and salvage ships developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and after decades of service they still remain active in other Chinese governmental establishments.
Type 922
...
(NATO designation Dalang-class)
* 2
Type 917 rescue and salvage ship (NATO designation unknown)
; Dive tender
* 2
Type 904 dive tender
Type 904 dive tender is a class of Chinese dive tender designed the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and the late models Type 904I and Type 904II have received the NATO reporting name ''Yanqian'' ...
(NATO designation unknown)
; Tug boats
* 4
Tuozhong-class (NATO designation Tuozhong-class)
* 1
Daozha-class (NATO designation Tuozhong-class)
* 15
Type 802 tug The Type 802 tug is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) version of the former-Soviet ''Gromovoy'' class tug. The difference between the Chinese version and the original Soviet version is minor, mainly in the modification of living quart ...
(NATO designation Gromovoy-class)
* 3
Type 830 tug
The Tuzhong-class patrol ship (as designated by NATO) is a is a class of oceangoing rescue and salvage ship in the People's Republic of China's China Coast Guard (CCG). Four were built at the Zhonghua Shipyard, and entered service with the Peopl ...
(NATO designation unknown)
* 18
Type 837 tug (NATO designation Hujiu-class)
* 19
Type 852 tug (NATO designation Roslavl-class)
; Degaussing & deperming
* 2
Type 911 degaussing/deperming ship (NATO designation unknown)
* 8
Type 912 degaussing/deperming ship (NATO designation unknown)
; Cable laying
* 1 Type 890 cable layer
(NATO designation Youzheng-class)
* 7
Type 991 cablelayer
Type 991 cable layer is a family of Chinese cable layers first saw service in Chinese navy, and later on, additional units also entered service with Chinese civilian authorities.
Type 991I
Type 991 I is the first member of Type 991 series, and ...
(NATO designation Youdian-class)
; Buoy tenders
* 6
Type 744 buoy tender (NATO designation Yannan-class)
* 1 Type 999 buoy tender
(NATO designation unknown)
Nomenclature
Ships of PLAN are named per
Naval Vessels Naming Regulation The Naval Vessels Naming Regulation () is a regulation that governs the naming of vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. It was published by the PLAN on November 18, 1978, and was revised on July 10, 1986.
Nomenclature
The regula ...
(中国海军舰艇命名条例)
that was first issued by the
Central Military Commission (CMC) on 3 November 1978, and subsequently revised 7 July 1986.
[
]
See also
* People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force
The People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force (PLANSF) is the submarine service of the People's Liberation Army Navy. It consists of all types of submarines in operational service organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Se ...
* List of active People's Liberation Army Navy ships
The ship types in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) include aircraft carriers, submarines, (both nuclear and conventional), amphibious transport docks, landing ships, tank, landing ships, medium, destroyers, frigates, ...
References
External links
Global Security: Chinese Warships
(globalsecurity.org)
{{Ship classes of the Chinese Navy
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