#ChinaCrackdown
China Deploys Type 22 Missile Boats in South China Sea to Intercept Foreign Ships
The Chinese Navy has sent its Type 22 fast attack missile boats to the South China Sea to help with interception missions and protect its maritime claims. These boats are being used to counter much larger U.S. warships that weigh between 8,000 and 9,000 tons.
In contrast, the Type 22 boats are much smaller, weighing only 220 tons. They use a catamaran design with waterjet engines, allowing them to move quickly at speeds up to 50 knots. Despite their size, each boat is heavily armed with eight YJ-83 anti-ship missiles, a 30 mm cannon, and jamming flares.
Although they were first built for coastal defense, their speed, agility, and stealth make them useful for tasks like patrolling near shorelines, escorting other ships, and confronting foreign vessels. These abilities were recently demonstrated in a real-world mission.
With powerful weapons and modern design, the Type 22 has become an important part of China’s naval strategy.