Type 903 replenishment ship
{{Short description|Auxiliary Chinese naval vessel}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
}} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:Chinese Navy replenishment ship Gaoyouhu (996) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following the conclusion of Rim of the Pacific 2016. 160805-N-AI605-081.jpg | Ship caption = Gaoyouhu }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name= |Builders=*CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) Company Limited |Operators={{navy|CHN}} |Class before= Type 908 replenishment ship |Class after= Type 901 replenishment ship |Subclasses= |Cost= |Built range= |In service range= |In commission range=2004 |Total ships planned= |Total ships building= |Total ships completed=9 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active=9 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = | Ship type = Replenishment oiler | Ship tonnage = | Ship displacement = 23,369 tons (full load){{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship length = {{convert|178.5|m}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship beam = {{convert|24.8|m}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|8.7|m}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship draft = | Ship depth = | Ship hold depth = | Ship decks = | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = | Ship ice class = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = *2 x SEMT Pielstick 16PC2 6V400 diesel engines;{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}}
| Ship sail plan = | Ship speed = {{convert|19|kn}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship range = {{convert|10,000|nmi}} at {{convert|14|kn}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = | Ship boats = | Ship capacity = 10,500 tons of fuel oil, 250 tons of fresh water, 680 tons of cargo and ammunition{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship troops = | Ship complement = 130{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship crew = | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = 4 x twin 37 mm{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} | Ship armour = | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = 1 Harbin Z-8{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} or Changhe Z-18{{Cite web |last1=Tate |first1=Andrew |url=http://www.janes.com/article/52183/china-launches-third-type-903a |title=China launches third Type 903A |website=IHS Jane's 360 |date=11 June 2015 |access-date=16 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222113030/http://www.janes.com/article/52183/china-launches-third-type-903a |archive-date=2015-12-22 |url-status=live }} | Ship aircraft facilities = hangar and flight deck | Ship notes = }} |
The Type 903 combined replenishment ship ({{lang-zh|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.{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} They resemble {{HTMS|Similan}}, an AOR built by China for Thailand delivered in 1996.{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}}{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=840}}
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,{{sfn|Saunders|2015|p=160}} 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.{{sfn|Sheldon-Duplaix|2017|p=100}}
Design
The Type 903 is a flush-decked development of the Type 905 AOR resembling the French Durance.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=133}}
There are two liquid and one sliding-stay solid transfer stations per side. Refuelling may also be conducted from the stern.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=133}}
Ships of the class
Gallery
References
{{reflist}}
Sources
- {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephan |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=2015 |isbn=978-0710631435}}
- {{cite book |last=Sheldon-Duplaix |first=Alexandre |title=China's Evolving Surface Fleet |date=2017 |series=CSMI Red Book |volume=14 |publisher=United States Naval War College |chapter=China’s Auxiliary Fleet: Supporting a Blue-Water Navy in the Far Seas? |isbn=978-1-935352-45-7}}
- {{cite book |last=Wertheim |first=Eric |title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems |date=2013 |edition=16 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn= 978-1591149545}}
{{Type 903 replenishment ships}}
{{Ship classes of the Chinese Navy}}