The Type 903 combined replenishment ship (Chinese: 903型综合补给舰, NATO reporting name: Fuchi) is a class of replenishment oiler (AOR) built for the People's Liberation Army Navy, serving as a principal fleet auxiliary ship for blue-water expeditionary missions by the People's Republic of China.[1] They resemble HTMS Similan, an AOR built by China for Thailand delivered in 1996.[1][3]
Two original-design Type 903s entered service in 2003. Construction of the Type 903A (NATO reporting name: Fuchi II), a slightly modified design, began in 2010; the first Type 903As entered service in 2013,[1] and a total of eight ships are currently in service.
Development
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]
Design
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]
Ships of the class
| 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] | 902(Ex-960)[6][7] | Active[6] | ||||
| 洪湖 / Honghu[6] | 906(Ex-963)[6][8] | Active[6] | ||||
| 骆马湖 / Luomahu[6] | 907(Ex-964)[6][9] | Active[6] | ||||
| 高邮湖 / Gaoyouhu[6] | 904(Ex-966)[6][10] | Active[6] | ||||
| 可可西里湖 / Kekexilihu[6] | 903(Ex-968)[6][11] | Active[6] | ||||
Gallery
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Flight deck of Taihu.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq Saunders 2015, p. 160.
- ^ a b Tate, Andrew (11 June 2015). "China launches third Type 903A". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
- ^ Saunders 2015, p. 840.
- ^ Sheldon-Duplaix 2017, p. 100.
- ^ a b Wertheim 2013, p. 133.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o United States Navy Office of Naval Intelligence (19 February 2020). PLA Navy Identification Guide (Report). Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ Wang, Yaming (2024-07-08). "艺心向党遇舰深蓝——艺术与设计学院走进海军东平湖舰". QUT School of art and design (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ Zhang, Dayu; Yu, Zeming (2024-08-16). Xue, Tao (ed.). "中国海军第46批护航编队焦作舰、洪湖舰访问埃及". Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ "强军强装｜呼和浩特舰、岳阳舰、骆马湖舰，出征亚丁湾！". 2022-01-17. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ "Chinese Naval Taskforce Participates in Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-2025 - Ministry of National Defense". eng.mod.gov.cn. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ^ Sun, Luming (2023-03-30). Li, Qingtong (ed.). "中國海軍第42批護航編隊完成任務返回青島" [Chinese navy's 42nd escort fleet returns to Qingdao]. Ministry of National Defenese. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
Sources
- Saunders, Stephan, ed. (2015). Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710631435.
- Sheldon-Duplaix, Alexandre (2017). "China's Auxiliary Fleet: Supporting a Blue-Water Navy in the Far Seas?". China's Evolving Surface Fleet. CSMI Red Book. Vol. 14. United States Naval War College. ISBN 978-1-935352-45-7.
- Wertheim, Eric (2013). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (16 ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1591149545.
