Wozang Class Minehunter / Minesweeper

The Wozang class is the mine countermeasures vessel (MCMV) built by the Qiuxin Shipyard based in Shanghai. The first and sole hull of the class, Huoqiu (hull No.804), was launched in 2004 and commissioned by the East Sea Fleet in June 2005. However, this hull may well be a refitted hull of the Type 082 Wosao class.

With a  full displacement of 575 tonnes, the vessel is 55m in length, 9.3m in beam, and 2.6m in draught. The vessel is armed with a Type 61 manual dual-25mm AAA gun on the bow deck. The hull may be built with glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) to reduce its magnetic signature. Its propulsion also employs special noise reduction features to reduce its acoustic signature.

The Type 082-II was said to be equipped with advanced sonar system to detect and classify the mines, and can send out remotely operated vehicles to inspect and neutralise the threat.

Shiplist

Last update: 10 March 2008