Type 022 Chinese fast-attack boat vs US littoral combat ships
Fri Jun 1, 2012 2:57am EDT
(Reuters) -
In its annual report on the Chinese military, the Pentagon said earlier this month the Chinese navy had deployed about 60 of the Houbei class patrol craft.
"These boats have increased the PLA Navy's littoral warfare capabilities," the Pentagon said.
The United States is also beefing up its littoral warfare capabilities in the region. The USS Freedom, first in a new class of combat ships, will be sent to Singapore next year.
The smaller, shallow-draft ships are intended for operations close to shore and capable of deploying quickly in a crisis. Singapore has discussed hosting up to four such U.S. "Littoral Combat Ships" on a rotational basis at its naval facilities.
"ANTI-ACCESS STRATEGY"
The mass production of the Type-022 suggests the Chinese navy believes these vessels will complement its so-called "anti-access" strategy aimed at keeping foreign forces away from waters surrounding Taiwan in time of conflict, said Sam Roggeveen, an analyst and commentator at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute for International Policy, an independent private foreign policy research group.
"China's anti-access capabilities are now such that it would be very difficult for the U.S. Navy to intervene in a conflict over Taiwan at an acceptable cost," Roggeveen said. "The Type-22 has made a contribution to that capability."
UNDER THE RADAR
Some analysts forecast the Chinese navy will take delivery of up to 100 of these vessels, which carry an estimated price tag of about $15 million each.
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"While the military could obviously afford larger vessels we speculate that they wanted to keep the vessel size down to minimize radar signature although we cannot rule out cost considerations given the number of vessels," he said.
Since then, the expanding Houbei class fleet has become a top priority for China's military with mass production involving up to five shipyards, defense experts say.
With an estimated top speed of more than 36 knots, the 225-tonne boats were clearly designed for offensive missions where they would attack with their YJ-83 anti-ship missiles, which can strike targets at a distance of more than 200 km, experts say.
They also appear to be equipped with advanced data processing links so these missiles can be directed from sensors on other aircraft or ships.
The Type-22 also has a close-in weapon system for defense against incoming missiles and what appears to be a launcher for anti-aircraft missiles.
"CARRIER KILLER"
Naval strategists suggest that deployed in big numbers in wartime, these fast and stealthy craft could overwhelm bigger and much more expensive enemy warships with waves of missiles fired from different directions.
Combined with missiles from China's land-based launchers, surface warships, submarines and strike aircraft, these attacks could sharply raise the stakes for an enemy operating close to the mainland.
"This craft is a purebred ship killer, perhaps even a carrier killer," wrote John Patch, a retired U.S. Navy officer in an article for the United States Naval Institute.
In its report on China, the Pentagon said it would continue with efforts to block the transfer of important technology to China that would contribute to China's defense industry and military firepower.
