CHINESE NAVY: JIANGHU-CLASS FRIGATE

China has built 20 light frigates of the Jianghu class, types I and II, for her own navy, and two of the Jianghu III type for Egypt. Production of the I and II ceased in 1984, and the Egyptian ships were delivered in 1984/85. These vessels, the first of which was laid down in Shanghai in about 1974, are described as being "spartan in design philosophy", but are capable of improvement by the fitting of Western weaponry and electronics. Jianghu type IV and V are now being introduced; the IV will carry a new anti-ship SSM, and the V will operate a light helicopter; these new versions may extend the life of the class, and may have export potential, mainly to Third World countries. The Author discusses the Jianghu class, which is sometimes called the Changsha in China (the name Jianghu is a Western appellation), and describes some features of the different versions (complete information is not available). The class specification includes: standard displacement 1568 tons; dimensions 103.2 x 10.2 x 3.1m; twin-screw medium-speed diesel propulsion, about 24,000 ship, giving about 26 knots; cruising speed 18 knots; endurance 4000 n.miles at 15 knots, 1750 n.miles at 25 knots; complement 195. Recent Chinese literature indicates that the power is closer to 16,000 shp than 24,000 shp. Various weapon and electronic outfits are mentioned in the article. It is thought that, for the time being, the Chinese Navy will rely on the Jianghu class as its primary anti-ship missile platform. The article includes some general information on Chinese naval activities since the 1950s; however, much is unknown of the Republic's engineering developments up to the mid1970s. A new type of destroyer now building will probably have CODOG propulsion; a report that a CODOG system had been adopted for the Jianghu II series may be premature.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Navy Intl, 92 (1987), p. 114 (Feb.) [3 pp., 2 tab., 4 phot.]
• Authors:
  • Jacobs, G
• Publication Date: 1987

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• Old TRIS Terms: Jianghu
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00691356
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM