PLA Navy's Type 22 missile boat conducts maritime training in East China Sea.

According to information published by the Chinese MoD on July 29, 2024, a Type 22 missile boat of the PLA Navy recently conducted maritime training exercises in the East China Sea.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Chinese Navy's Type 22 missile boat during training. (Picture source: China MoD)

The Type 22 missile boat, also known by its NATO designation "Houbei class," is a modern fast attack craft employed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

Designed and constructed by the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, the Type 22 features a distinctive catamaran hull. The catamaran design also helps in reducing radar cross-section. These boats are equipped with a wave-piercing bow.

The primary armament of the Type 22 consists of eight YJ-83 subsonic anti-ship missiles, which have an effective range of about 100 nautical miles. For close-range defense, the boat is fitted with a 30mm H/PJ-13 Gatling gun mounted on the bow. In terms of sensors, the Type 22 is equipped with the H/LJQ-362 surface search radar and the H/ZFJ-1A fire control system for targeting.

Propulsion is provided by two diesel engines powering four waterjets, enabling a top speed of approximately 36 knots.

China has produced at least 80 of these missile boats, with operational deployment concentrated in the South China Sea and other strategic coastal areas.

The boats typically operate in squadrons, maximizing their missile salvo potential. This deployment strategy enhances their effectiveness in swarm attacks, leveraging their numbers and missile firepower to pose a significant threat to larger naval vessels.