According to a tweet published by David Wang on August 27, 2022, the Chinese-made Type 056 corvette for the Algerian Naval Force has begun its sea trials.
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Future Algerian Navy's Type 056 corvette, China. (Picture source: Weibo)
The Type 056 corvette fills the capability gap between the Type 022 missile boat and the Type 054A frigate. It is 90 meters long, displaces 1500 tons, and incorporates anti-radar features.
The Type 056 is suited for mid-range green-water missions and littoral duties, but not for major blue-water combat operations; it is built with a 15-day endurance for combat missions such as patrol, escort, and protection of EEZ maritime interests within 200 nmi (230 mi; 370 km) from the coast, freeing up larger warships for open ocean deployment.
The Type 056 corvette has a crew of 78 people with a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h), and a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h).
Surface armament is reported as an AK-176 76 mm naval gun, two H/PJ-17 30 mm autocannons, and four YJ-83 anti-ship missiles. FL-3000N surface-to-air missiles are carried in a single eight-cell launcher. Finally, there are two triple-tube 324 mm torpedo launchers, which may carry Yu-7 light ASW torpedoes.
The basic Type 056 is equipped with a Type 347G (LR66) radar and bow-mounted sonar. The Type 056A adds towed array and variable depth sonars (VDS). The class of corvette has a helicopter deck for a Z-9-sized helicopter, but no hangar.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that Algeria ordered a 96-meter "OPV/frigate" in 2020; SIPRI provisionally listed the class as "Pattani". According to social media, the ship is an export derivative of Type 056 and was launched in August 2021.
