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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Type 22 |
| Builders: | Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, Shanghai |
| Operators: |
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| Preceded by: | Type 037-II-class missile boat & C 14-class missile boat |
| Cost: | Estimates vary from $14.5 million[1] over $40 million[2] up to $50 million per boat[3] |
| Built: | 2004–present |
| In commission: | 2004–present |
| Completed: | 82 |
| Active: | 82 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 220 long tons (224 t) full load |
| Length: | 42.6 m (139 ft 9 in) |
| Beam: | 12.2 m (40 ft 0 in) |
| Draught: | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) |
| Decks: | 1 |
| Propulsion: | 2 diesel engines @ 6,865 hp (5,119 kW) with 4 waterjet propulsors by MARI |
| Speed: | 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph) |
| Complement: | 12[4] |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Armament: |
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| Notes: | Details remain speculative |
The Type 22 (NATO designation: Houbei class)[5] missile boat is a ship class in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The first boat was launched in April 2004 by the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard at Shanghai. 82 of these missile boats are currently in service with three flotillas having been produced over a span of seven years, operating in squadrons of eight vessels each.[6]
As of 2025, the Type 22 missile boat is the fastest ship class in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy.[7]
In October 2025, Janes reported that Indonesia has plans to acquire the Type 22.[8]
The boat's wave-piercing catamaran hull was proposed by Seabus International, a joint venture between Guangzhou Marine Engineering Corporation and AMD Marine Consulting headquartered in Sydney, Australia. The design is based on the AMD 350 and enhances stability in high sea conditions.[9][4]
The polygonal-designed superstructure with its similarly angled gun mount indicates a reduced radar cross-section, but built out of aluminium rather than composites. The Type 22 has an advanced C4 datalink[4] that may represent some kind of capability to allow AWACS planes or other ships to vector the Type 22's missiles. The aluminium hull is reported to use friction stir welding.[10]
The Type 22 missile boat is capable of a 360 degrees turn on the spot.[7]
The Type 22 missile boat's main purpose is to employ hit and run tactics by rapidly firing all of its eight YJ-83 missiles and quickly escaping.[7]
Template:Ship classes of the Chinese Navy