Drawing of Chinese Fast Attack Craft 2208 - Type-022 Houbei-Class
Class overview
Name	Type 022
Builders	Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, Shanghai
Operators	People's Liberation Army Navy
Preceded by	Komar-class missile boat[1] Type 021 missile boat[1]
Cost	Estimates vary from $14.5 million[2] over $40 million[3] up to $50 million per boat[4]
Built	2004–2009
In commission	2004–present
Completed	60[5]
Active	60 (approx.)[6]
General characteristics
Displacement	224 long tons (228 t) full load[7]
Length	42.6 m (139 ft 9 in)[7]
Beam	12.2 m (40 ft 0 in)[7]
Draught	1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)[7]
Decks	1
Propulsion	2 x diesel engines generating 6,865 hp (5,119 kW)[7] 4 x Kamewae waterjet propulsors[7]
Speed	40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)[7]
Complement	12[7]
Sensors & processing systems	Type 348 (LR66) surface search radar[7] Navigation radar (I band)[7] Optronic director[7]
Armament	8 x YJ-83 anti-ship missiles[7] 1 x FLS-1 MANPADS launcher 1 × 30 mm AK-630 CIWS[7]

The Type 022 (NATO designation: Houbei class) is a class of Chinese catamaran missile boat. It entered service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in 2004.

It is sometimes called the "Type 22".^[8]

Development

In the 1980s, Chinese naval strategy shifted from coastal to offshore operations ("near-seas active defense"). 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 corvettes from Russia.^[1]

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.^[9][10]

The prototype launched from Qiuxin Shipyard in Shanghai in April 2004. Production occurred from at least six shipyards^[7] before ending in 2009.^[5]

In October 2025, Janes reported that Indonesia planned to acquire the Type 022.^[11]

Design

The Type 022 has a wave-piercing catamaran hull^[9][10] made of aluminium.^[9][12] The hull is reportedly manufactured using friction stir welding.^[13] Radar cross section-reduction features are incorporated,^[14][7] including a stealthy turret for the AK-630.^[10]

The boat only has line of sight sensors. Longer-range fire in coordination with other units is enabled by tactical data links.^[14][15]

According to a 2014 report from the U.S. Naval War College's China Maritime Studies Institute, the boat's speed and aluminium hull makes it difficult to attack with torpedoes with magnetic detonators.^[16]

Later boats received a FLS-1 launcher on bridge for QW man-portable surface-to-air missile.^[10]

Operational history

Type 022s in the PLAN typically deploy in squadrons of eight.^[17] During exercises, they have fired coordinated missile salvoes using third-party targeting data. Their missions may include coastal defense, ISR, and supporting offensive operations outside territorial waters.^[15]

See also

• Hamina-class missile boat
• Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat
• Skjold-class corvette

References

Sources

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (2025). The Military Balance 2025. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-041-04967-8.
• Murray, William S. (2014). "Underwater TELs and China's Antisubmarine Warfare". China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities. CMSI Red Book. Vol. 11. China Maritime Studies Institute. ISBN 978-1-935352-16-7.
• Patch, John (2014). "Chinese Houbei Fast Attack Craft". China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities. CMSI Red Book. Vol. 11. China Maritime Studies Institute. ISBN 978-1-935352-16-7.
• Walton, Timothy A.; McGrath, Bryan (2014). "China's Surface Fleet Trajectory". China's Near Seas Combat Capabilities. CMSI Red Book. Vol. 11. China Maritime Studies Institute. ISBN 978-1-935352-16-7.
• Saunders, Stephan, ed. (2015). Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710631435.