The Chinese Type 312 class minesweeper was also known as Futi class. It was the first remote minesweeping drone, and was successfully used in the Vietnam War. Although originally designed as a minesweeping drone, the Type 312 can also be manned by a 3-man crew as a regular minesweeper. The chief designer was Mr. Diao Haiguang (刁海光) of the 710th Institute, and from the start of the project to the completion of the first two units (two units are being built simultaneously), it only took less than two years when the first two units entered the service for the

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 ...

. Due to its small size, this class is maintained on land and thus is in better conditions than most of other larger boats and ships in the reserve fleet. The drone can be remotely operated from more than away.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Type 312 Minesweeper Minesweepers of the People's Liberation Army Navy