{{Short description|Ship class in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image= Type 22 PLAN FAC.svg |image_caption=Drawing of Chinese Fast Attack Craft 2208 - Type-022 Houbei-Class }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview |name=Type 022 |builders=[[Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding]], [[Shanghai]] |operators={{Navy|PRC}} |class_before= * [[Komar-class missile boat]]{{sfn|Patch|2014|p=2}} * [[Type 021 missile boat]]{{sfn|Patch|2014|p=2}} |class_after= |subclasses= |cost= Estimates vary from $14.5 million<ref name="Janes">{{cite web|url=http://www.informationdissemination.net/2009/08/janes-discusses-chinese-streetfighter.html|title=Information Dissemination: Janes Discusses Chinese Streetfighter|work=informationdissemination.net}}</ref> over $40 million<ref name="Wired">{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/08/china-builds-warships/2/ |title=China Builds Fleet of Small Warships While U.S. Drifts |last=Axe|first=David |date=August 4, 2011|publisher=Wired.com|access-date=2012-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504170034/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20100104-Tough-fights-for-Texas-House-shape-8632.ece |archive-date=May 4, 2013 }}</ref> up to $50 million per boat<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defencetalk.com/china-type-022-fast-attack-craft-31589|title=China's Project 022 Fast Attack Craft|work=defencetalk.com}}</ref> |built_range= 2004–2009 |in_service_range= |in_commission_range=2004–present |total_ships_building= |total_ships_planned= |total_ships_completed= 60<ref name="crs_orourke_2023"/> |total_ships_canceled= |total_ships_active= 60 (approx.){{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=243}} |total_ships_laid_up= |total_ships_lost= |total_ships_retired= |total_ships_preserved= }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |class= |type= |tonnage= |displacement= {{Convert|224|LT|t|0}} full load{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |length={{Convert|42.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |beam={{Convert|12.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |height= |draught={{Convert|1.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |depth= |hold_depth= |decks= 1 |deck_clearance= |power= |propulsion= * 2 x diesel engines generating {{Convert|6865|hp|0|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} * 4 x Kamewae [[Pump-jet|waterjet]] propulsors{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |speed= {{Convert|40|kn|lk=in}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |range= |endurance= |boats= |crew= |complement= 12{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |sensors= * Type 348 (LR66) surface search radar{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} * Navigation radar (I band){{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} * Optronic director{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |armament= *8 x [[YJ-83]] [[anti-ship missile]]s{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} * 1 x FLS-1 [[MANPADS]] launcher * 1 × 30 mm [[AK-630]] [[Close-in weapon system|CIWS]]{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} |armour= |notes= }} }} The '''Type 022''' ([[NATO reporting name|NATO designation]]: '''''Houbei'' class''') is a class of [[China|Chinese]] [[catamaran]] [[missile boat]]. It entered service with the [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] (PLAN) in 2004.
It is sometimes called the "Type 22".<ref>{{cite web |title=HJB 394-2007 22型导弹快艇规范 |url=http://www.zbgb.org/101/StandardDetail1100960.htm |publisher=国家标准行业标准信息服务网 |date=2007-04-30 |access-date=2016-07-05 |archive-date=2017-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015015418/http://www.zbgb.org/101/StandardDetail1100960.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
== Development == In the 1980s, Chinese naval strategy shifted from coastal to offshore operations ("near-seas active defense").{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} 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 corvette]]s from [[Russia]].{{sfn|Patch|2014|p=2}}
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.<ref name="reuters">{{Cite news |last1=Lague |first1=David |date=2012-06-01 |title=Insight - From a ferry, a Chinese fast-attack boat |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/uk/insight-from-a-ferry-a-chinese-fast-attack-boat-idUSBRE84U1HK/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=Reuters |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="afcea">{{cite web |last1=Bussert |date=1 December 2007 |first1=James C. |title=Catamarans Glide Through Chinese Waters |url=https://www.afcea.org/signal-media/west-22/catamarans-glide-through-chinese-waters |website=SIGNAL |publisher=[[AFCEA]] |access-date=11 December 2025 }}</ref>
The prototype launched from Qiuxin Shipyard in [[Shanghai]] in April 2004. Production occurred from at least six shipyards{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} before ending in 2009.<ref name="crs_orourke_2023">{{cite report |last=O'Rourke |first=Ronald |date=5 October 2023 |title=China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress |url=https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/RL/PDF/RL33153/RL33153.272.pdf |publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]] |docket=RL33153 |version=272 |access-date=11 December 2025 |page=7}}</ref>
In October 2025, [[Janes Information Services|''Janes'']] reported that [[Indonesia]] planned to acquire the Type 022.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ridzwan |last=Rahmat |title=Indonesia seeks foreign loans for J-10 fighters, naval systems |url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/sea/indonesia-seeks-foreign-loans-for-j-10-fighters-naval-systems |website=Jane's |date=16 October 2025 |access-date=20 October 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
== Design == [[File:Houbei (Type 022) Class Fast Attack Craft.JPG|left|thumb|Type 022s in [[disruptive coloration|disruptive camouflage]].]]
The Type 022 has a [[Wave-piercing hull|wave-piercing]] catamaran hull<ref name="reuters"/><ref name="afcea"/> made of [[aluminium]].<ref name="reuters"/>{{sfn|Patch|2014|p=10}} The hull is reportedly manufactured using [[friction stir welding]].<ref name="FSW">{{cite web |last1=Delany |first1=Fred |last2=Kallee |first2=Stephan W. |last3=Russell |first3=Mike J. |date=2007 |title=Friction Stir Welding of Aluminium Ships |url=https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/published-papers/friction-stir-welding-of-aluminium-ships-june-2007 |website=[[The Welding Institute]] |access-date=11 December 2025}}</ref> [[Radar cross section]]-reduction features are incorporated,{{sfn|Patch|2014|p=4}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=151}} including a stealthy turret for the AK-630.<ref name="afcea"/>
The boat only has [[line of sight]] sensors. Longer-range fire in coordination with other units is enabled by [[tactical data link]]s.{{sfn|Patch|2014|p=4}}{{sfn|Patch|2014|p=7}}
According to a 2014 report from the [[Naval War College|U.S. Naval War College]]'s China Maritime Studies Institute, the boat's speed and aluminium hull makes it difficult to attack with [[torpedo]]es with magnetic detonators.{{sfn|Murray|2014|p=29}}
Later boats received a FLS-1 launcher on [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]] for [[QW missile|QW]] [[Man-portable air-defense system|man-portable]] [[surface-to-air missile]].<ref name="afcea"/>
== Operational history ==
Type 022s in the PLAN typically deploy in [[Squadron (naval)|squadrons]] of eight.<ref name="usni27sept21">{{cite web |last1=Sutton |first1=H. I. |title=This is What a Chinese Stealth Warship Looks Like on Radar |url=https://news.usni.org/2021/09/27/this-is-what-a-chinese-stealth-warship-looks-like-on-radar |website=[[USNI News]] |date=27 September 2021 }}</ref> During exercises, they have fired coordinated missile salvoes using third-party targeting data. Their missions may include [[Coastal defence and fortification|coastal defense]], [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|ISR]], and supporting offensive operations outside territorial waters.{{sfn|Patch|2014|p=7}}
In December 2025 it was reported that two Type 022s were modified by replacing their missile bins with a larger box-like structure.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=18 December 2025 |title=Chinese Navy (PLAN) Has Modified Two Type-022 FAC For Special Purpose |url=https://www.hisutton.com/Chinese-Type-022-Mod.html |website=Covert Shores}}</ref>
==See also== *{{sclass|Hamina|missile boat}} *[[Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat]] *{{sclass|Skjold|corvette}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Sources== * {{Cite book |author=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |title=The Military Balance 2025 |date=2025 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-041-04967-8 |location=London |ref = {{SfnRef|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025}} }} * {{cite book |last1=Murray |first1=William S. |date=2014 |chapter=Underwater TELs and China's Antisubmarine Warfare |title=China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities |publisher=China Maritime Studies Institute |series=CMSI Red Book |volume=11 |isbn=978-1-935352-16-7}} * {{cite book |last1=Patch |first1=John |date=2014 |chapter=Chinese Houbei Fast Attack Craft |title=China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities |publisher=China Maritime Studies Institute |series=CMSI Red Book |volume=11 |isbn=978-1-935352-16-7}} * {{cite book |last1=Walton |first1=Timothy A. |last2=McGrath |first2=Bryan |date=2014 |chapter=China's Surface Fleet Trajectory |title=China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities |publisher=China Maritime Studies Institute |series=CMSI Red Book |volume=11 |isbn=978-1-935352-16-7}} * {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephan |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=2015 |isbn=978-0710631435}}
{{Ship classes of the Chinese Navy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Type 022 missile boat}} [[Category:Missile boats of the People's Liberation Army Navy]] [[Category:Missile boat classes]] [[Category:Catamarans]] [[Category:Military catamarans]]