(China)

Notes: In 1966 the PLAN began work on a replacement for the P-6 and other Soviet-built torpedo classes in Chinese service. By 1975 the design had been accepted into Chinese service and production began at the Wuzhou and Gueijiang shipyards. The all-metal Type 025 Huchuan class is a forward-only hydrofoil; as the stern planes on the surface at high speed. A unique feature are small “helper” foils on the bow that help the craft get up to speed for the main foils. There are two main variants, the standard Type 025 and the Type 026 which has one of the gun mounts relocated to the bow. Some of the PLAN Type 025’s were fitted with a more modern radar late in their careers. Torpedo aiming is by a crude analog lead-computer, the secondary guns are aimed visually with an iron ring sight. The sensors and systems are barely sufficient for combat, and the craft can only stay at sea for 48hrs.

Displacement: 39t standard, 45t full Dimensions: 71’5”x20’7”x11’8”(hull borne)

Machinery: Diesel-direct: 3 Type M50 diesels, three shafts, non-CP blades

Max speed: 54kts sprint, 50kts sustained Range: 500NM @ 30kts Complement: 16

x2 Yu-1 torpedoes                                              4NM anti-surface only (can also accept Soviet Type 53-56)

x4 (2 twin) PRC 14.5mm                                        0.5NM AA

China Type 753 (“Skin Head”) (I)                      14NM surface search, 8NM air (low-altitude) search

CHINA
About a hundred of this class were built for Chinese use, of which a fifth were always in reserve and only about half were ever manned at the same time. By 1995 about 40 were still in commission, and the final ones left active service in 1999. As of early 2007, 31 hulls still existed although they are unlikely to ever be reactivated. Some now have the foils and/or tubes removed. Both the Types 025 and 026 served the PLAN, additionally there were several small differences in the bridge design, etc; amongst the two types themselves.

A total of thirty-two standard Chinese Type 025 variants were delivered to Vlore between 1969 and 1974. By April 1991 this had fallen to twenty-nine due to cannibalization for spares, and by 1994 twenty-four. One of these “operational” Huchuan units defected to Italy; the ship was rusty and in terrible condition with armament and one of the diesels non-operational. The Italian coast guard seized the craft but returned it several years later, by which time none of the others were operational. After Albania joined the NATO “Partnership For Peace”, American and Italian assistance restored ten to service by 2005, renumbered S-101, S-102, S-201, S-209, S-210, S-214, S-305, S-306, S-307, and S-406. By early 2007, Albania only had funding to keep five operational, and a deal was signed with the Netherlands for four DamenStan patrol boats to replace some or all of the Huchuan force in the latter part of the decade.

Four of the newer Type 026 variants were delivered from China, two of these were subsequently written off after the April 1991 typhoon. The surviving pair was joined by four purchased from Pakistan, later the derelict pair were also restored to service. They are all numbered in the “TB-” series.

Four of the newer Type 026 variants were donated by China in 1991 and are homeported at Bujumbura. The combined crews of the four take up almost half the Burundi navy’s manpower. Little is known about their condition. It is possible the torpedo tubes have been deleted.

Four of the older Type 025 variants were delivered in the late 1970s, numbered HDF-01 through HDF-04. They were not popular in Pakistani service and were often stored ashore at Karachi. In the early 1990s, the entire class was sold to Bangladesh.

ROMANIA
After importing three Type 025 units from China, Romania’s Mangalia shipyard obtained a license for both the Type 025 and Type 026 designs and built a mixture of the two, a total of twenty-six. The Romanian boats had the Type 753 radar and also a Soviet “High Pole-A” IFF system. All were numbered in the “VT-”series. The three original Chinese craft were scrapped in 1991, and two of the others were converted into disarmed scuba diver support boats, renamed Marte and Jupiter. All Romanian Huchuans have now been decommissioned.

Four Type 025 were delivered from China in 1975, numbered JW-9841 through JW-9844. The Tanzanian boats have no hydrofoils, and have never been seen without canvas on the tubes so it is unknown if torpedoes were also delivered. By 1989 all were non-operational but after a major effort in 1993, they were refurbished and restored to service.