The People's Liberation Army Navy (Chinese Navy) released some pictures showing one of its newer Type 056 Corvette (Jiangdao Class) test firing a YJ-83 anti-ship missile. The ship involved in the test is first of class corvette Bengbu (hull number 582) which was commissioned in February 2013. Corvette Bengbu is deployed with the PLAN's East Sea Fleet.
YJ-83 Anti-ship missile
The YJ-83 (YingJi-83 meaning Eagle Strike) was designed as a supersonic successor to the earlier subsonic YJ-82. The programme begun in the mid nineties and procurement with the PLAN begun in the late nineties. The missile as well as its export version (C-803) is manufactured by Norinco. YJ-83 in its surface-launched version is reported to have a range of 300 Km and a maximum speed Mach 2. It is a see skeaming capable missile fitted with Infra-Red Seeker and Millimeter Wave Radar.
Type 056 Corvette
Designed and built by Chinese shipyard CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) the Type 056 Corvette (Jiangdao class) combines a stealth design with modern weapon systems and sensors. Designed to replace the older Jianghu class frigates and Type 037 patrol vessels, Type 056 Corvettes are set to become the backbone of the PLA Navy with more than 20 vessels reported to be currently on order.