Type 022 missile boat
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Type 022 |
| Builders | Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, Shanghai |
| Operators | File:Naval ensign of China.svg People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Preceded by | |
| Cost | Estimates vary from $14.5 million[2] over $40 million[3] up to $50 million per boat[4] |
| Built | 2004–2009 |
| In commission | 2004–present |
| Completed | 60[5] |
| Active | 60 (approx.)[6] |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 224 long tons (228 t) full load[7] |
| Length | 42.6 m (139 ft 9 in)[7] |
| Beam | 12.2 m (40 ft 0 in)[7] |
| Draught | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)[7] |
| Decks | 1 |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)[7] |
| Complement | 12[7] |
| Sensors & processing systems | |
| Armament | |
The Type 022 (NATO designation: Houbei class) is a class of Chinese catamaran missile boat. It entered service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in 2004.
It is sometimes called the "Type 22".[8]
Development
In the 1980s, Chinese naval strategy shifted from coastal to offshore operations ("near-seas active defense").[citation needed] By the late-1990s, the PLAN wanted fast attack craft with greater range and seakeeping. The Type 022 was likely a response to the requirement. In the early-2000s, China made an abortive attempt to purchase Tarantul-class corvettes from Russia.[1]
The Type 022 is based on AMD Marine Consulting's AMD 350 catamaran hull and developed further by Seabus International in Guangzhou; Seabus was a joint venture between AMD and China State Shipbuilding Corporation's Guangzhou Marine Engineering Corporation.[9][10]
The prototype launched from Qiuxin Shipyard in Shanghai in April 2004. Production occurred from at least six shipyards[7] before ending in 2009.[5]
In October 2025, Janes reported that Indonesia planned to acquire the Type 022.[11]
Design
The Type 022 has a wave-piercing catamaran hull[9][10] made of aluminium.[9][12] The hull is reportedly manufactured using friction stir welding.[13] Radar cross section-reduction features are incorporated,[14][7] including a stealthy turret for the AK-630.[10]
The boat only has line of sight sensors. Longer-range fire in coordination with other units is enabled by tactical data links.[14][15]
According to a 2014 report from the U.S. Naval War College's China Maritime Studies Institute, the boat's speed and aluminium hull makes it difficult to attack with torpedoes with magnetic detonators.[16]
Later boats received a FLS-1 launcher on bridge for QW man-portable surface-to-air missile.[10]
Operational history
Type 022s in the PLAN typically deploy in squadrons of eight.[17] During exercises, they have fired coordinated missile salvoes using third-party targeting data. Their missions may include coastal defense, ISR, and supporting offensive operations outside territorial waters.[15]
In December 2025 it was reported that two Type 022s were modified by replacing their missile bins with a larger box-like structure.[18]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Patch 2014, p. 2.
- ↑ "Information Dissemination: Janes Discusses Chinese Streetfighter". informationdissemination.net.
- ↑ Axe, David (August 4, 2011). "China Builds Fleet of Small Warships While U.S. Drifts". Wired.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2013. Retrieved 2012-02-04.
- ↑ "China's Project 022 Fast Attack Craft". defencetalk.com.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 O'Rourke, Ronald (5 October 2023). China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress (PDF) (Report). 272. Congressional Research Service. p. 7. RL33153. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ↑ The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2025, p. 243.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 Saunders 2015, p. 151.
- ↑ "HJB 394-2007 22型导弹快艇规范". 国家标准行业标准信息服务网. 2007-04-30. Archived from the original on 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2016-07-05.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Lague, David (2012-06-01). "Insight - From a ferry, a Chinese fast-attack boat". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Bussert, James C. (1 December 2007). "Catamarans Glide Through Chinese Waters". SIGNAL. AFCEA. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ↑ Rahmat, Ridzwan (16 October 2025). "Indonesia seeks foreign loans for J-10 fighters, naval systems". Jane's. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ↑ Patch 2014, p. 10.
- ↑ Delany, Fred; Kallee, Stephan W.; Russell, Mike J. (2007). "Friction Stir Welding of Aluminium Ships". The Welding Institute. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Patch 2014, p. 4.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Patch 2014, p. 7.
- ↑ Murray 2014, p. 29.
- ↑ Sutton, H. I. (27 September 2021). "This is What a Chinese Stealth Warship Looks Like on Radar". USNI News.
- ↑ "Chinese Navy (PLAN) Has Modified Two Type-022 FAC For Special Purpose". Covert Shores. 18 December 2025.
Sources
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (2025). The Military Balance 2025. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-041-04967-8.
- Murray, William S. (2014). "Underwater TELs and China's Antisubmarine Warfare". China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities. CMSI Red Book. Vol. 11. China Maritime Studies Institute. ISBN 978-1-935352-16-7.
- Patch, John (2014). "Chinese Houbei Fast Attack Craft". China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities. CMSI Red Book. Vol. 11. China Maritime Studies Institute. ISBN 978-1-935352-16-7.
- Walton, Timothy A.; McGrath, Bryan (2014). "China's Surface Fleet Trajectory". China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities. CMSI Red Book. Vol. 11. China Maritime Studies Institute. ISBN 978-1-935352-16-7.
- Saunders, Stephan, ed. (2015). Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710631435.