China launched the first 1,500 ton-class offshore patrol vessel derived from Type 056 corvette for the Algerian Navy on August 23.
The customizations are expected to make the Algerian version more powerful than its Chinese counterpart. The warship was designed by the No. 708 Research Institute under the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited and built by the Shanghai-based Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard.
The ship is expected to be delivered to Algeria in 2023.
China has previously built three C28A corvettes for the Algerian Navy, with the last ship delivered in 2016.
The new ship is expected to complete tasks like safeguarding maritime sovereignty, sea administration, surveillance and combat against surface, underwater and aerial targets. It can also commence missions like natural resource protection, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, patrol and antiterrorism.
Compared to vessels of the same type used by China, Algeria’s ship has a larger size, longer range, better endurance, more stable and reliable propulsion system, larger and more convenient living spaces and combat systems more suitable for the Algerian navy.
It is a common practice to customize made-for-export weapons and equipment based on the demand of the customer, a military expert told semi-official Global Times on Sunday.
If the customer has high requirements, it is not strange that the ship becomes more powerful than the domestic version, because China uses the Type 056 as a coastal defense ship and not as an offshore patrol ship, the expert said, adding that the Type 056 is a well designed platform, and with customizations it can play roles in far sea well.
