Jiangdao Class (Type 056/Type 056A (ASW))

Public description

The Jiangdao Type 056/056A class is a light corvette family built for coastal presence, patrol, anti-surface tasks and, in the Type 056A variant, stronger ASW work. Anti-ship missiles, a gun, point defence, sensors and sonar options give it useful littoral combat value without the endurance or air-defence depth of a frigate. The class helped move routine near-seas duties away from larger frigates and destroyers.