The Type 903 (NATO reporting name: Fuchi) is a class of replenishment oiler (AOR) built for the People's Liberation Army Navy by the People's Republic of China.[1] They resemble HTMS Similan, an AOR built by China for Thailand and delivered in 1996.[1][3]
Class overview | |
---|---|
Builders | |
Operators | People's Liberation Army Navy |
Preceded by | Type 908 replenishment ship |
Succeeded by | Type 901 replenishment ship |
In commission | 2004 |
Completed | 9 |
Active | 9 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Replenishment oiler |
Displacement | 23,369 tons (full load)[1] |
Length | 178.5 metres (586 ft)[1] |
Beam | 24.8 metres (81 ft)[1] |
Draught | 8.7 metres (29 ft)[1] |
Propulsion |
|
Speed | 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)[1] |
Range | 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)[1] |
Capacity | 10,500 tons of fuel oil, 250 tons of fresh water, 680 tons of cargo and ammunition[1] |
Complement | 130[1] |
Armament | 4 x twin 37 mm[1] |
Aircraft carried | 1 Harbin Z-8[1] or Changhe Z-18[2] |
Aviation facilities | hangar and flight deck[2] |
Two Type 903s entered service in 2003. Construction of the Type 903A, a slightly modified design, began in 2010; the first Type 903As entered service in 2013.[1]
According to Zhang Gang, chief designer of Similan, China started development of a new AOR in 1988. Development was delayed due to cost, leading China to buy a Komandarm Fedko-class oiler, renamed Qinghaihu, from Ukraine in 1992. The new design was completed for Similan, which became the basis for the Type 903.[4]
The Type 903 is a flush-decked development of the Type 905 AOR resembling the French Durance.[5]
There are two liquid and one sliding-stay solid transfer stations per side. Refuelling may also be conducted from the stern.[5]
Name | Hull No. | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fleet | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type 903 | ||||||
千岛湖 / Qiandaohu (ex-Fuchi)[1] | 886[1] | Hudong Shipyard[1] | 29 March 2003[1] | 30 April 2004[1] | East Sea Fleet[1] | Active[1] |
微山湖 / Weishanhu[1] | 887[1] | Guangzhou Shipyard International[1] | June 2003[1] | 2004[1] | South Sea Fleet[1] | Active[1] |
Type 903A | ||||||
太湖 / Taihu[1] | 889[1] | Guangzhou Shipyard International | 22 March 2012[1] | 18 June 2013[1] | North Sea Fleet[1] | Active[1] |
巢湖 / Chaohu[1] | 890[1] | Hudong Shipyard[1] | 6 May 2012[1] | 11 September 2013[1] | East Sea Fleet[1] | Active[1] |
东平湖 / Dongpinghu[6] | 960[6] | Active[6] | ||||
洪湖 / Honghu[6] | 963[6] | Active[6] | ||||
骆马湖 / Luomahu[6] | 964[6] | Active[6] | ||||
高邮湖 / Gaoyouhu[6] | 966[6] | Active[6] | ||||
可可西里湖 / Kekexilihu[6] | 968[6] | Active[6] |