Type 056 OPV/Corvette

Here's some nice pics.

Originally Posted by asif iqbal

Ok so the launches are?? I've lost count

2 x HD
2 x HP
1 x WC
1 x LN

6 launches in almost 4 months, before this year is out we could see 6 more, seriously 12 launches alone in 2012!! At the start of year that would be considered a no way thought

Very possible, think there's already 2 more being in various stages of construction at HP and HD. Don't know as much on WC and LN, guessing maybe 1 each so yes, another half dozen in the works. The interesting part will be the 6 afloat, will they all get commissioned around the same time? After commissioning, will they start patrols in the SCS immediately?

Originally Posted by joshuatree

Very possible, think there's already 2 more being in various stages of construction at HP and HD. Don't know as much on WC and LN, guessing many 1 each so yes, another half dozen in the works. The interesting part will be the 6 afloat, will they all get commissioned around the same time? After commissioning, will they start patrols in the SCS immediately?

They will be send to hong kong immediately to replace 6 type 037.

SCS will leave it to china maritime surveillance ship.

Originally Posted by hmmwv

Short version of this is that PLAN officers actually monitor Chinese military forums constantly and listen to fan's opinions.

From what I hear, they actually are quite active on the net. Suffice to say I'm sure they want to launch something Chinese netizens are openly proud of, and not say "oh my god, that vessel is so ugly I want to puke...how could PLAN come up with something so horrible"

...not that I imagine a weird smokestack would do that, but anyway

Originally Posted by hmmwv

Short version of this is that PLAN officers actually monitor Chinese military forums constantly and listen to fan's opinions.

Wut.....

Originally Posted by Maggern

From what I hear, they actually are quite active on the net. Suffice to say I'm sure they want to launch something Chinese netizens are openly proud of, and not say "oh my god, that vessel is so ugly I want to puke...how could PLAN come up with something so horrible"

...not that I imagine a weird smokestack would do that, but anyway

I hope to God NOT!

Originally Posted by Maggern

From what I hear, they actually are quite active on the net. Suffice to say I'm sure they want to launch something Chinese netizens are openly proud of, and not say "oh my god, that vessel is so ugly I want to puke...how could PLAN come up with something so horrible"

...not that I imagine a weird smokestack would do that, but anyway

I hope to God NOT! last I check most chinese netizens are not exactly professional warship designers, highly skilled military tacticians and certainly not formost experts in naval warfare.

Originally Posted by kwaigonegin

I hope to God NOT! last I check most chinese netizens are not exactly professional warship designers, highly skilled military tacticians and certainly not formost experts in naval warfare.

Pfff where have you been....pla watchers are military experts, just like every other couch potato is a sports expert.

Originally Posted by Lion

They will be send to hong kong immediately to replace 6 type 037.

SCS will leave it to china maritime surveillance ship.

I think only two are deployed in HK at any given time?

As for SCS, I don't think so. 560 was grounded when conducting patrols, she was definitely not CMS. Besides, I seem to recall the 056 was built for such theaters as SCS.

Originally Posted by Maggern

From what I hear, they actually are quite active on the net. Suffice to say I'm sure they want to launch something Chinese netizens are openly proud of, and not say "oh my god, that vessel is so ugly I want to puke...how could PLAN come up with something so horrible"

...not that I imagine a weird smokestack would do that, but anyway

If that's the case, can they redo the new gun on the 052D? Make it look cooler?

Originally Posted by kwaigonegin

I hope to God NOT! last I check most chinese netizens are not exactly professional warship designers, highly skilled military tacticians and certainly not formost experts in naval warfare.

Obviously they won't modify a ship's design only based on people's opinion about its appearance, but educated suggestions from fans can be helpful. It doesn't take a professional warship designer to point out that fully exposed exhaust pipes are bad for stealth.

Originally Posted by joshuatree

I think only two are deployed in HK at any given time?

As for SCS, I don't think so. 560 was grounded when conducting patrols, she was definitely not CMS. Besides, I seem to recall the 056 was built for such theaters as SCS.

There will be four assigned to the HK garrison, but only two will be stationed at Stonecutters Island, two will be stationed at the support base in Shekou. Following ships probably will be assigned to SSF to support currently deployed ships in the SCS patrol ship squadron.

I should say that according to the the thips size, number in production run, multi-functional design, and the first batch apparently designated for HK the 056 serie could wel be meant to equip a new single naval paramilitary branch, regrouping existing separate branches (coastguard, Marine surveillance, Fisheries Law Enforcement, ... ) as voiced by some concerned top brass and politicians.

If so, the heavy armament might then be used as an argument to place the new unit under direct PLA supervision.

If you take away the anti-ship missile launchers, the type 056 can be used as a coastguard ship. During peace time it could be under Chinese coastguards. During war time the command could be under PLAN and the anti-ship munitions attached.

I doubt the PLAN has any intention of handing over any of these ships to the CG in peacetime; this is a straight-up naval warship. Besides, I read somewhere that the CG is getting their own new ships anyway.

Originally Posted by no_name

If you take away the anti-ship missile launchers, the type 056 can be used as a coastguard ship. During peace time it could be under Chinese coastguards. During war time the command could be under PLAN and the anti-ship munitions attached.

Coastguard ships like China MSA have to be distinctively in civilian outlook to contain level of conflict from escalating into navy confrontation, with-out medium/heavy weapons onboard both side in confrontation are unlikely to cause firefight.

A look that ressemble a frigate can easily cause the other side mistakenly identify the CG ship as a navyship which could result in canon shells and missiles flying, a scenario not good for foreign diplomacy.

Thus it is unlikely 056 hulls will be used for CG role.