World Navies Today - Chinese Scientific, Research and Experimental Vessels

World Navies Today:
Chinese Scientific, Research and

Experimental Vessels
Revised 23 October 2001
Version 1.02
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan
World Navies Today Main Page: http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/
This list includes all known scientific, research and experimental ships over 500 tons
displacement, including non-naval craft.
Ships not yet commissioned, or in long-term overhaul/conversion, are listed in [brackets].

Navigation and surface-search radars are not listed. All classifications are purely
unofficial and are based on an attempt to use standard classifications throughout all
navies; they may or may not correspond to "official" designations.
Note: It remains very difficult to obtain accurate, up-to-date information regarding

Chinese naval forces. These is major conflict between published references, especially
with regard to class names and numbers. It is also difficult to tell exactly how many
vessels are active and how many are in reserve, since many "active" vessels only go to
sea for a few days each year. This list represents the best data available from a variety of
sources, however, it probably is not complete nor 100% accurate, due to inadequacies of
source material.
Fleets: The following abbreviations are used to indicate fleet assignments:

YEL: Yellow Sea. Officially North Sea Fleet.
ECS: East China Sea. Officially East Sea Fleet.
SCS: South China Sea. Officially South Sea Fleet.
Naval Surveillance & Scientific Ships

Naval Experimental/Trials Ships
Civilian-Subordinated Scientific Ships
Naval Surveillance & Scientific Ships
Yuanwang class missile tracking/space event support
ships (4 ships)
Displacement: 21,000 tons full load
Dimensions: 190 x 22.6 x 7.5 meters/623.4 x 74.1 x 24.6 feet
Propulsion: 1 Sulzer diesel, 1 shaft, 17,400 bhp, 20 knots
Crew: 470
Aviation: aft helicopter deck
Concept/Program: Large ships intended to support missile tests and space events.
Numerous tracking antennas. First two units have been refitted twice; second pair varies
in details. The existence of the fourth unit is uncertain.
Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai.
Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

Yuanwang 1 1979 ECS
Yuanwang 2 1979 ECS
Yuanwang 3 1995 ECS
Yuanwang 4 1996 ECS
Xing Fengshan electronic surveillance ship (1 ship)

Dimensions: ??
Propulsion: ??
Crew: ??
Concept/Program: ELINT ship reportedly based on the 'Dalang' class submarine rescue
ships. May be civilian-subordinated, but is painted gray.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

856 Xing Fengshan 1988?
New missile range instrumentation ship (1 ship)

Estimated Specifications
Propulsion: 2 SEMT-Pielstick diesels, 2 shafts, 14,400 bhp, 17 knots
Crew: ?
Radar: 2 missile tracking
Aviation: aft helicopter deck
Armament: 1 dual 37mm AA, 2 dual 25mm AA
Concept/Program: A new missile tracking ship, similar to the training ship Zhenghe.
Builders: Qiuxin SY, Shanghai.
Number Year FLT Homeport Notes

?? 1999
Beidiao ('Dadie' class) electronic surveillance ship (1

ship)
Dimensions: 94 x 11.3 x 4 meters/308.4 x 37 x 13.1 feet
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 17 knots
Crew: 160
EW: Intercept arrays
Armament: 2 dual 14.5 mm
Concept/Program: Purpose-built ELINT ship. May be equipped with a bow-mounted

sonar.
Builders: Wuhan SY, Wuchang.

841 Beidiao 1987 YEL
'Yanbing' class light icebreaker/electronic surveillance

ship (1 ship)
Displacement: approx. 5,000 tons full load
Dimensions: 94.5 x 17.1 x 5.9 meters/310 x 56.1 x 19.4 feet
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 16 knots
Crew: approx. 100
EW: intercept arrays
Armament: 4 dual 37 mm
Concept/Program: An enlarged version of the 'Yanha' class, also outfitted for ELINT.
Can also serve as an ocean tug.
Builders: unknown.

Haidiao 723 1982 YEL
Shijian 3 oceanographic research ship (1 ship)

Dimensions: 104 x 13.7 x 5.2 meters/341.2 x 45 x 17 feet
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 9,600 bhp, 22.5 knots
Crew: 53 + 94 mission crew
Concept/Program: Operated for the South China Sea Institute of Oceanography.

Shijian 3 1982 SCS Guangzhou
'Yanha' class electronic surveillance ships/light

icebreakers (3 ships)
Dimensions: 84 x 15 x 5 meters/275.6 x 49.2 x 16.4 feet
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 5,200 shp, 16 knots
Crew: 90
Armament: 4 dual 37 mm, 4 dual 25 mm
Concept/Program: Small icebreakers; serve as ELINT ships and can be used as ocean
tugs.
Builders: Qiuxin SY, Shanghai.

Haibing 519 1989? YEL
Haibing 721 YEL
Haibing 722 YEL
'Yanqian' (modified 'Kansha') class oceanographic

research ships (2 ships)
Dimensions: 69.9 x 10.5 x 3.6 meters/229.3 x 34.4 x 11.8 feet
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 2,200 bhp, 13.5 knots
Crew: 110
Concept/Program: Converted from 'Kansha' class salvage tugs. May still carry DSRVs.
Builders: Chunghua SY, Shanghai.

V231 1981 SCS
V232 198? SCS
'Yanlai' class survey ships (4 ships)

Dimensions: 72 x 9.8 x 3 meters/236.2 x 32.2 x 9.8 feet
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 2,200 bhp, 16 knots
Crew: approx. 100
Armament: 2 dual 37 mm, 2 dual 25 mm
Builders: unknown; built early 1970's.

Dong Biao 200
Dong Biao 226
Nance 427
Dong Biao 943
'Ganzhu' class survey ship (1 ship)

Dimensions: 65 x 9 x 3 meters/213.3 x 29.5 x 9.8 feet
Crew: 120
Armament: 2 dual 37 mm, 2 dual 25 mm, 2 dual 14.5 mm
Builders: Zhuijiang SY.

Nance 420 1975 SCS
'Kan Yang' class coastal survey ships (2 ships)
Displacement: approx. 600 tons full load
Dimensions: approx. 50 x 8 x ?? meters/164 x 26.2 x ?? feet
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, approx. 14 knots
Crew: ??
Armament: 1 dual 25 mm
Concept/Program: Small coastal survey ships.
Builders: unknown; built circa 1980.

Nance 426
Nance 428
modified T-43 class coastal survey ships (3 ships)

Displacement: 590 tons full load
Dimensions: 60 x 8.6 x 2.16 meters/196.8 x 28.2 x 7 feet
Crew: approx. 70
Armament: 1 dual 37 mm, 2 dual 14.5 mm
Concept/Program: Modified T-43 type minesweepers. Three similar conversions are

civilian-subordinated.
Builders: unknown; built late 1960's.

993
994
995
Note: There are believed to be several (perhaps up to 10) additional naval-subordinated

survey/research ships.
Naval Experimental/Trials Ships
'Golf' class ballistic missile trials submarine (1 ship)
(Project 031)
Displacement: 2,900 tons submerged
Crew: 87
Sonar: Herkules active
Armament: 2 JL-2 ballistic missiles, 10 21 inch torpedo tubes (6 bow, 4 stern)
Concept/Program: Chinese-built to Russian plans. Originally fitted for three Russian

SLBMs, but these were never supplied and she was modified for 2 Chinese SLBMs;
refitted in 1995 for new trials missiles. Not combat-capable.
Builders: Dalian SY.

200 1966 YEL
'Wuhan' class guided missile trials submarine (1 ship)

(Project 033G)
Displacement: 2,100 tons submerged
Dimensions: 76.6 x 7.6 x 4.95 meters/251.3 x 25 x 16.2 feet
Crew: 58
Sonar: Tamir-5 active, Feniks passive
Armament: 6 C-801 SSM, 8 21 inch torpedo tubes (6 bow, 2 stern; 14 torpedoes or 24
mines)
Concept/Program: A Chinese 'Romeo' class submarine extensively rebuilt as a trials

platform for sub-launched SSMs. Must surface to launch missiles; lacks any over-the-
horizon targeting. Not a combat-capable unit.
Builders: Rebuilt by Wuhan SY.

351 19??/87 YEL
'Yanxi' class weapons trials support ship (1 ship)
Dimensions: 60 x 11 x 3.5 meters/196.8 x 36 x 11.5 feet
Crew: ??
Concept/Program: A small trials-support ship. Exact role is unknown, but may act as a
drone launch/recovery vessel.
Builders: Shanghai.

Hsun 701 1970
Civilian-Subordinated Scientific Ships
Xiangyanghong class polar research ship (1 ship)
Dimensions: ??
Propulsion: ??
Crew: ???
Aviation: helicopter deck and hangar
Concept/Program: Few details known. Acquired second-hand from Finish owners in

1985.

Xiangyanhong ? 1971/85
Xiangyanghong 5 (Francesco Nullo class) oceanographic

research ship (1 ship)
Propulsion: 1 Sulzer diesel, 1 shaft, 7,200 bhp, 16 knots
Crew: ??
Concept/Program: Large Polish-built freighter extensively converted to research duties.
Builders: Paris Commune SY, Gdynia, Poland.

Xiangyanghong 5 1967/72 ex-Chang Niy
Xiangyanchong 10 (modified 'Dajiang' class) ocean

survey ship (1 ship)
Propulsion: 2 MAN diesels, 2 shafts, 9,000 bhp, 20 knots
Crew: ??
Aviation: aft helicopter deck and hangars for 2 Z-8 Super Frelon helicopters
Concept/Program: Near-sister to 'Dajiang' class submarine tenders/salvage ship; retains

large crane forward. Operated by the East China Sea Branch, State Oceanographic
Bureau; officially classified as "blue-water survey ship". True role is unclear, but
presence of a large crane and derivation from salvage ship design indicates covert "ocean
survey" or "ocean engineering" may be one mission. Also has been reported as an ELINT
ship. Has been sighted in pseudo-naval gray paint. There is not a second unit of this class,
as has been sometimes reported.

Xiangyanhong 10 1980
Da Yang 1 (Pulkovskiy Meridian class) oceanographic

research ship (1 ship)
Propulsion: 2 Sulzer diesels, 1 shafts, 6,900 bhp, approx. 15 knots
Concept/Program: Soviet-built to a modified trawler design; purchased 1995.
Builders: Chernomorskiy SY, Nikolayev, Ukraine.

Da Yang 1 1984/95 ex-G.P. Antropov
Kexue Hao class oceanographic research ships (2 ships)

Dimensions: 125.6 x 15.5 x ?? meters/412 x 51 x ?? feet
Crew: 148
Concept/Program: Successors to the Xiangyanghong 09 series. Reported to sometimes

operate as ELINT ships. Names also reported as Ke Xue Yihao 1 and Ke Xue Yihao 2.
Builders: unknown.

Kexue 1 Hao 1987 ECS
Kexue 2 Hao 1989 ECS
Haiyang class seismological research ships (2 ships)
Crew: 150
Concept/Program: Operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Haiyang 01 1972?
Haiyang 02 1973?
Xiangyanghong 09 class oceanographic research ships

(3 ships)
Dimensions: 122 x 15.2 x ?? meters/400.25 x 49.8 x ?? feet
Crew: 145
Concept/Program: Operated for the National Bureau of Oceanography. 09 has been

reported as an ELINT ship and as a weapons trials ship, but photos do not support this.
The later units may be of a different class.
Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai; built 1979+.

Xiangyanhong 09
Xiangyanhong 14
Xiangyanhong 15
Haibing class oceanographic research ships (2 ships)

Dimensions: 83.8 x 15.3 x 5 meters/275 x 50.2 x 16.4 feet
Crew: 90
Builders: Qiuxin SY, Shanghia.

Haibing 101 1969
Haibing 102 1972
Shijian 1 class oceanographic research ships (2 ships)

Concept/Program: Enlarged version of the Dongfanghong class. These units may be

named Shijian and Kexueyihao. Operated by the State Bureau of Oceanography.

Shijian 1 1968? ECS
Shijian 2 1969? ECS
Dongfanghong class oceanographic research ship (1

ship)
Crew: ??
Concept/Program: Operated by the Shandong Oceanographic College. A possible

second unit has been reported but this is unlikely.
Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai; built 1964-66.

Dongfanghong 196? YEL Shandong
Shuguang 04 class oceanographic research ships (5

ships)
Dimensions: 65.5 x 10 x ?? meters/215 x 32.8 x ?? feet
Crew: ???
Armament: 1 dual 37 mm, 2 dual 14.5 mm in some units
Concept/Program: Based on Xiangyanghong 01 class. At least two are operated by the

Chinese Academy of Sciences and are unarmed.
Builders: Guangzhou SY; built 1970-75.

Shuguang 04
Shuguang 05
Shuguang 06
Shuguang 07
Shuguang 08
Kan ('Yanlun') class oceanographic research ships (2

ships)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafs, 18 knots
Crew: ??
Concept/Program: 101 is sometimes reported to be of a different design, possibly

converted from a submarine rescue ship.

Kan 101 1985? ECS
Kan 102 1987? ECS
'Yanlun' class survey ship (1 ship)

Dimensions: 70 x 20 x 3 meters/229.7 x 65.6 x 10 feet
Crew: ??
Concept/Program: First and only Chinese-built catameran. May have been scrapped.
992
'Yannan' clas survey ships (4 ships)

Dimensions: 72.3 x 11.8 x 4 meters/237.2 x 38.7 x 13.1 feet
Crew: 95
263
463
982
983
Dinghai class survey ships (2 ships)

Displacement: 1,257 GRT
Concept/Program: Japanese-built; a third unit is believed to have been discarded.
Builders: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan.

502 Nan Hai 1979
511 Bin Hai 1979
Xiangyanghong 1 class oceanographic research ships (3

ships)
Dimensions: 67 x 10 x 4 meters/220 x 32.8 x 13.1 feet
Crew: ?? Armament: 1 only: 1 dual 37 mm, 2 quad 14.5 mm
Concept/Program: 1 differs from the other two in superstructure and armament.
Builders: Jiangan SY.

Xiangyanghong 1 1971
Xiangyanghong 4 1971?
Xiangyanghong 6 1973
Xiangyanghong 02 class coastal survey ships (3 ships)

Crew: ??
Concept/Program: Operated by the Academy of Sciences.
Builders: Guangzhou SY; built 1971-73.

Xiangyanghong 02
Xiangyanghong 03
Xiangyanghong 08
coastal environmental survey ship (1 ship)

Propulsion: 2 MAN diesels, 1 shaft, 3,600 bhp, 19.2 knots
Crew: 45
Concept/Program: Operated for the National Bureau of Oceanography; used for

environmental survey and patrol, pollution control.
Builders: Wuchang SY.

72 1989
Shuguang 01 (modified T-43) class coastal

oceanographic research ships (3 ships)
Dimensions: 60 x 8.6 x 2.16 meters/196.85 x 28.2 x 7 feet
Crew: approx. 70
Concept/Program: Modified T-43 type minesweepers. Three similar conversions are

naval subordinated.
Builders: unknown; built late 1960's.

Shuguang 01
Shuguang 02
Shuguang 03
Hai class coastal oceanographic research ship (1 ship)

Dimensions: 50 x 10 x 3.5 meters/164 x 32.8 x 11.5 feet
Concept/Program: Japanese-built coastal ship; can carry a DSRV.
Builders: Niigata Engineering Co., Niigata, Japan.

Hai 521 1974 YEL
Note: There are believed to be a significant number of additional civilian-subordinated

research/survey ships.
Back to World Navies Today - China
Compiled and maintained by Andrew Toppan.
Copyright © 1998-2003, Andrew Toppan. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, reuse, or distribution without permission is prohibited.

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World Navies Today:

Chinese Scientific, Research and

Ships not yet commissioned, or in long-term overhaul/conversion, are listed in [brackets].

Note: It remains very difficult to obtain accurate, up-to-date information regarding

Fleets: The following abbreviations are used to indicate fleet assignments:

Naval Surveillance & Scientific Ships

Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

Xing Fengshan electronic surveillance ship (1 ship)

Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

New missile range instrumentation ship (1 ship)

Builders: Qiuxin SY, Shanghai.

Number Year FLT Homeport Notes

Beidiao ('Dadie' class) electronic surveillance ship (1

Concept/Program: Purpose-built ELINT ship. May be equipped with a bow-mounted

Builders: Wuhan SY, Wuchang.

Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

'Yanbing' class light icebreaker/electronic surveillance

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

Shijian 3 oceanographic research ship (1 ship)

Concept/Program: Operated for the South China Sea Institute of Oceanography.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

'Yanha' class electronic surveillance ships/light

Builders: Qiuxin SY, Shanghai.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

'Yanqian' (modified 'Kansha') class oceanographic

Builders: Chunghua SY, Shanghai.

Number Year FLT Homeport Notes

'Yanlai' class survey ships (4 ships)

Builders: unknown; built early 1970's.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

'Ganzhu' class survey ship (1 ship)

Builders: Zhuijiang SY.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

Concept/Program: Small coastal survey ships.

Builders: unknown; built circa 1980.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

modified T-43 class coastal survey ships (3 ships)

Concept/Program: Modified T-43 type minesweepers. Three similar conversions are

Builders: unknown; built late 1960's.

Number Year FLT Homeport Notes

Note: There are believed to be several (perhaps up to 10) additional naval-subordinated

Concept/Program: Chinese-built to Russian plans. Originally fitted for three Russian

Builders: Dalian SY.

Number Year FLT Homeport Notes

'Wuhan' class guided missile trials submarine (1 ship)

Concept/Program: A Chinese 'Romeo' class submarine extensively rebuilt as a trials

Builders: Rebuilt by Wuhan SY.

Number Year FLT Homeport Notes

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

Concept/Program: Few details known. Acquired second-hand from Finish owners in

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

Xiangyanghong 5 (Francesco Nullo class) oceanographic

Concept/Program: Large Polish-built freighter extensively converted to research duties.

Builders: Paris Commune SY, Gdynia, Poland.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

Xiangyanchong 10 (modified 'Dajiang' class) ocean

Concept/Program: Near-sister to 'Dajiang' class submarine tenders/salvage ship; retains

Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes

Da Yang 1 (Pulkovskiy Meridian class) oceanographic

Concept/Program: Soviet-built to a modified trawler design; purchased 1995.

Builders: Chernomorskiy SY, Nikolayev, Ukraine.

Name Year FLT Homeport Notes