Type 206 class gunboat
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Type 206 class gunboat is also known as the Huludao class, and it is a simplified version of the Type 037 class submarine chaser (also known as Hainan class) for patrol duties, with slightly reduced displacement, but enlarged superstructure. A total of 7 of this class were sold to Algeria in the period of 1990 thru 1991. At least a single unit remained in the People's Liberation Army Navy service for training and patrol missions and unconfirmed reports claim that the Chinese unit has been up gunned. The specification of Type 206 class gunboat is generally similar to that of Type 037 class submarine chaser except it is much lightly armed:
- Displacement: 360 t
- Length: 58.77 m
- Beam: 7.2 m
- Draft: 2.2 m
- Speed: 30.5 kt
- Range: 2,000 nm @ 14 kt
- Propulsion: 4 diesel engines @ 8,800 hp with 4 shafts
- Complement: 57
- Armament:
- Guns: 4 Chinese Type 69 14.5 mm heavy machine guns (II x 2)
- ASW: 2 depth charge rails.
- Radar: 1 navigational or surface search radar
Although the Chinese classify this class as gunboat, it is actually much more accurate to fit the classification of the patrol boats for various reasons. For example, the missions and weaponry are that of patrol boats and due to the drastic reduction of the number of crews, the living conditions is significantly improved. In fact, after evaluating the class, the Chinese eventually developed much smaller 80 ton type harbor security / patrol boats to replace the obsolete and aging Shantou, Beihai, Huangpu and Yulin classes gunboats performing the patrol duties, thus breaking the long tradition of the People's Liberation Army Navy having no dedicated patrol boats.
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