Type 022 missile boat
Ship class in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy
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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.
People's Liberation Army NavyDrawing of Chinese Fast Attack Craft 2208 - Type-022 Houbei-Class | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Type 022 |
| Builders | Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, Shanghai |
| Operators | 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 | |
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
_Class_Fast_Attack_Craft.JPG)
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]