The Tuzhong-class cutter (as designated by NATO) is a

class Class, Classes, or The Class may refer to: Common uses not otherwise categorized * Class (biology), a taxonomic rank * Class (knowledge representation), a collection of individuals or objects * Class (philosophy), an analytical concept used d ...

of oceangoing

rescue and salvage ship Rescue and salvage ships (hull classification symbol ARS) are a type of military salvage tug. They are tasked with coming to the aid of stricken vessels. Their general mission capabilities include combat salvage, lifting, towing, retraction of grou ...

in the

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

China Coast Guard The China Coast Guard (CCG) () is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the People's Armed Police (PAP) of China. The Coast Guard is an armed gendarmerie force (of corps grade), and its cutters are ...

(CCG). Four were built at the Zhonghua Shipyard, and entered service with the

People's Liberation Army Navy The People's Liberation Army Navy, also known as the People's Navy, PLA Navy or simply Chinese Navy, is the naval warfare military branch, branch of the People's Liberation Army, the national military of the People's Republic of China. It i ...

in the late-1970s. In 2009, each of the three fleets had one and the fourth was in reserve. In 2012, three were transferred to China Marine Surveillance and from there to the CCG. The Tuzhongs have a 35-ton capacity towing winch. In PLAN service, ''Beituo 710'' was fitted with a Type 352 radar, possibly for cruise missile tests.

Ships of the class

References

Sources

* * *{{cite book , last=Wertheim , first=Eric , title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems , date=2013 , edition=16 , publisher=Naval Institute Press , location=Annapolis, Maryland , isbn= 978-1591149545 Patrol vessels of the People's Republic of China Patrol ship classes Auxiliary tugboat classes Auxiliary ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy Tugboats of the People's Liberation Army Navy China Coast Guard ships Ships of the China Marine Surveillance