Type 903 replenishment ship
Auxiliary Chinese naval vessel
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The Type 903 combined replenishment ship (Chinese: 903型综合补给舰, NATO reporting name: Fuchi) is a class of replenishment oiler (AOR) built for the People's Liberation Army Navy, serving as a principal fleet auxiliary ship for blue-water expeditionary missions by the People's Republic of China.[2] They resemble HTMS Similan, an AOR built by China for Thailand delivered in 1996.[2][4]
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| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | |
| Operators |  People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Preceded by | Type 908 |
| Succeeded by | Type 901 |
| In commission | 2004 |
| Building | 3[1] |
| Completed | 11[1] |
| Active | 11[1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Replenishment oiler |
| Displacement | 23,369 tons (full load)[2] |
| Length | 178.5 m (585 ft 8 in)[2] |
| Beam | 24.8 m (81 ft 4 in)[2] |
| Draught | 8.7 m (28 ft 7 in)[2] |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)[2] |
| Range | 10,000 nmi (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)[2] |
| Capacity | 10,500 tons of fuel oil, 250 tons of fresh water, 680 tons of cargo and ammunition[2] |
| Complement | 130[2] |
| Armament | 4 × single-barrel 30 mm RCWS or 4 x twin 37 mm guns[2] |
| Aircraft carried | 1 Harbin Z-8[2] or Changhe Z-18[3] |
| Aviation facilities | hangar and flight deck[3] |
Two original-design Type 903s entered service in 2003. Construction of the Type 903A (NATO reporting name: Fuchi II), a slightly modified design, began in 2010; the first Type 903As entered service in 2013,[2]. As of April 2026, a total of eleven ships are currently in service.[1]
Development
According to Zhang Gang, chief designer of Similan, China started development of a new AOR in 1988. Development was delayed due to cost, leading China to buy a Komandarm Fedko-class oiler, renamed Qinghaihu, from Ukraine in 1992. The new design was completed for Similan, which became the basis for the Type 903.[5]
Design
The Type 903 is a flush-decked development of the Type 905 AOR resembling the French Durance class.[6]
There are two liquid and one sliding-stay solid transfer stations per side. Refuelling may also be conducted from the stern.[6]
Ships of the class
| Name | Hull No. | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fleet | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 903 | ||||||
| 千岛湖 / Qiandaohu (ex-Fuchi)[2] | 886[2] | Hudong Shipyard[2] | 29 March 2003[2] | 30 April 2004[2] | East Sea Fleet[2] | Active[2] |
| 微山湖 / Weishanhu[2] | 887[2] | Guangzhou Shipyard International[2] | June 2003[2] | 2004[2] | South Sea Fleet[2] | Active[2] |
| Type 903A | ||||||
| 太湖 / Taihu[2] | 889[2] | Guangzhou Shipyard International | 22 March 2012[2] | 18 June 2013[2] | North Sea Fleet[2] | Active[2] |
| 巢湖 / Chaohu[2] | 890[2] | Hudong Shipyard[2] | 6 May 2012[2] | 11 September 2013[2] | East Sea Fleet[2] | Active[2] |
| 东平湖 / Dongpinghu[7] | 902(Ex-960)[7][8] | Active[7] | ||||
| 洪湖 / Honghu[7] | 906(Ex-963)[7][9] | Active[7] | ||||
| 骆马湖 / Luomahu[7] | 907(Ex-964)[7][10] | Active[7] | ||||
| 高邮湖 / Gaoyouhu[7] | 904(Ex-966)[7][11] | Active[7] | ||||
| 可可西里湖 / Kekexilihu[7] | 903(Ex-968)[7][12] | Active[7] | ||||
| 892[1] | Active[1] | |||||
| 893[1] | Active[1] | |||||
Gallery
Taihu at Victoria, Canada.
Flight deck of Taihu.
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