Type 056 corvette

The Type 056 corvette (NATO reporting name: Jiangdao-class corvette) is a class of littoral combat-oriented corvette (designated natively as "light frigate") deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). They replace older coastal patrol craft and some of the Type 053H frigates.

The first Type 056 entered service in March 2013, and 22 ships were built for active service. An anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant, commonly known as Type 056A, also entered service from 2014 onwards, with another 50 ships built to this variant.

Following construction of Aba (the 50th Type 056A) in December 2019, China ceased building Type 056A corvettes (it had earlier ceased building the original Type 056 model) to focus on procuring bigger bluewater warships for high sea missions. Between mid-2021 and January 2023, the PLAN transferred all 22 original Type 056s to the China Coast Guard while retaining the 50 Type 056As. The pennant numbers for the Type 056 class were thus deleted, while the pennant numbers for the first 20 ships of the Type 056A were altered from their previous "500" series to a new "600" series (the subsequent 30 ships of the Type 056A variant received pennant numbers in the "600" series from the start).

Export variants were delivered to the Algerian National Navy, the Bangladesh Navy and the Nigerian Navy.

History and development
The Type 056 hull may have been based on the HTMS Pattani-class offshore patrol vessels, which were built in China for Thailand from 2005 to 2006.

The first ship was launched by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in May 2012. In late 2012, corvettes were being produced by four Chinese shipyards.

The Type 056A were in production by late 2013. The Type 056 series was constructed at a high production rate to enhance the PLAN's littoral warfare capabilities. By February 2021, the PLAN had commissioned the last ships of the class, for a total of 22 Type 056 and 50 Type 056A. This completed the entire production run for the class.

Starting in mid 2021, the PLAN transferred all 22 of the original Type 056 to the China Coast Guard. As a result, the PLAN fleet shrank in 2022.

Design


The Type 056 corvette fills the capability gap between the Type 022 missile boat and the Type 054A frigate. It is 90 m long with a gross displacement of 1500 tons, and incorporates anti-radar features. The Type 056 is suited for mid-range green-water missions and littoral duties, but not for major blue-water combat operations; it is built with a 15-day endurance for combat missions such as patrol, escort and protection of exclusive economic zone maritime interests within 200 nmi from the coast, freeing up larger warships for open sea deployment. The Type 056 corvette has a crew of 78 people with a top speed of 25 kn, and a cruise range of 3500 nmi at 16 kn.

Surface armament is reported as an AK-176 76 mm naval gun, two H/PJ-17 30 mm autocannons, and four pod-launched YJ-83 anti-ship missiles (AShM). FL-3000N surface-to-air missiles (SAM) are carried in a single eight-cell launcher. Finally, there are two triple-tube 324 mm torpedo launchers, which may carry Yu-7 light anti-submarine (ASW) torpedoes.

The basic Type 056 is equipped with Type 347G (LR66) radar and bow-mounted sonar. The Type 056A adds towed array and variable depth sonars (VDS); the towed body suggests the VDS is "not an exact copy" of either the Italian/US DE-1163 or the French DUBV-43. It is likely that the Chinese will have undertaken extensive trials and analysis of any imported equipment and built a nominally indigenous system using the knowledge gained.

The Type 056 has a helicopter deck for landing a Z-9-sized helicopter, but no hangar.

Algeria
The Algerian National Navy operates one of the F-15A corvette variant. El Moutassadi was ordered in 2020 and delivered in 2023. and arrived in Algeria in 2023.

Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Navy operates four of the C13B corvette variant, called Shadhinota-class in service. The C13B is 90 m long and displaces 1,330 tons. Armament includes a 76 mm gun, C-802 AShMs, and FL-3000N SAMs. The stern has a helicopter pad but no hangar. The first two ships have SR 60 radar, and the last two have a phased-array radar; none have ASW sensors or weapons. All were built by Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan.

BNS Shadhinota − the lead ship − and BNS Prottoy were ordered in October 2012 and commissioned in 2016. BNS Sangram and BNS Prottasha were ordered in late-2015 and commissioned in 2020.

China Coast Guard
A Type 056 variant for the China Coast Guard was under construction at Huangpu in late 2014. The forward superstructure was moved back to make for a raised structure ahead of the bridge. Large davits were installed ahead of the flight deck on both sides of the ships. It is not expected to be armed with the 76 mm. gun, missiles, or other weapon systems.

Between mid 2021 and January 2023, China also transferred all 22 of the original Type 056 variant to the China Coast Guard.

Nigeria
The Nigerian Navy operates two of the P18N offshore patrol vessel (OPV) variant. The P18N displaces 1,800 tons, is 95 m long, has an endurance of 20 days, a maximum speed of 21 kn and a range of 3000 nmi at 14 kn. It has a crew of 75. Armament is reportedly a single NG-16-1 76 mm gun with a TR47 fire-control radar, two 30 mm guns, and two 20 mm guns. The class has an Oil Support Recovery System to combat oil spills. Unlike the Type 056, the P18N has a helicopter hangar. Both were built at the Wuchang Shipyard.

Nigeria ordered the ships from CSOC in April 2012 for US$42 million each. Centenary − the lead ship − commissioned in February 2015. Unity commissioned in December 2016.

The final 50–70% of the work on Unity was originally expected to be completed at the Nigerian Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt; CSOC was contracted to upgrade the shipyard. Unity was ultimately completed at Wuchang.

Ships in class

 * China Coast Guard







Ships of comparable role, configuration, and era

 * Bung Tomo-class corvette
 * Buyan-class corvette
 * Diponegoro-class corvette
 * Kora-class corvette
 * Project 22160 patrol ship
 * Sa'ar 5-class corvette

Related lists

 * List of active People's Liberation Army Navy ships