China's First Type 056 Class Corvette Sets Out to Sea

The first of China's Type 056 class corvette has set out to sea for trials. So far, at least 8 hulls have been observed under construction at 4 different shipyards. They are Liaonan, Wuhan, Hudong and Huangpu.

The Type 056 class has a length of 90 m, beam of 10 m, draft of 4.4m, full displacement of about 1300t and a maximum speed of 28 kt. The first is expected to be commissioned early next year.

Armament includes a 76 mm H/PJ26 dual purpose main gun, two 30 mm cannons, an 8 cell missile-based HHQ-10 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), 2 x 3 324 mm torpedo and 2 x 2 anti-ship missiles such as the C-802A.

The Type 056 class is being marketed for export. Bangladesh has expressed interest in ordering 2 hulls. They are to be modified to Bangladeshi specifications.

Credit original poster, via Chinese Internet