Chinese Armed Container Ship

[Dilandu]

Well, this is unexpected:


A medium-size container ship, fitted with containerized missile, gun and electronic armament, was spotted in one of Chinese ports. NOT an arsenal ship - this unit have rather sophisticated fire control radars array, and could do area defense on its own.
Equipment identified so far:

• Fifteen (three tiers of five, the data on picture is incorrect) 4-cell containerized missile launchers, presumably for SAM's, cruise and anti-ship missiles;
• Type 1130 CIWS on containerized mount;
• Four 18-tube Type 764-4 chaff launchers;
• AESA two-antenna rotating radar of unknown type;
• Two Type 366 over-the-horizon multi-purpose search & tracking radars (on picture incorrectly identified as Type 344 ones) - based on Russian export Mineral-ME ones;
• Two MR-90 fire control radars (licenzed Russian "Orekh" radar), used for illuminating targets for medium and long range SAM's with semi-active seekers;

In short... it's auxilary missile frigate, made on basic of container ship, and rather impressive one. It have circa 60 missile cell capacity - about 2/3 of Arleigh Burke missile destroyer - and frigate-grade fire control system, capable of handling area air defense.

 

[Moose]

Looks exceptionally fake, I'll wait for more images.

 

[shin_getter]

What is claimed to be Sat img

 

[Resister1976]

In the end of this year,We could see American Missile Battleship,North Korean Strategic Submarine and Chinese Missile Container Ship?
WTF?HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!!!!!!

 

[zjz]

Similar concept :

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlIB6qDjoo8

 

[zjz]

Chinese Cargo Ship Packed Full Of Modular Missile Launchers Emerges

China has packed a deck of a medium-sized cargo ship with 60 containerized vertical launch cells, radar, and close-in weapons.

www.twz.com

 

[Scott Kenny]

Hrm.

How wide is that container load? 3 wide? It looks like it's only 3x4 each row.

 

[Dilandu]

How wide is that container load? 3 wide? It looks like it's only 3x4 each row.

Five wide. Clearly visible on satellite photo.

 

[Ainen]

In short... it's auxilary missile frigate, made on basic of container ship, and rather impressive one. It have circa 60 missile cell capacity - about 2/3 of Arleigh Burke missile destroyer - and frigate-grade fire control system, capable of handling area air defense.

It's effectively a auxiliary escort GP...frigate (with firepower matching/in some aspects exceeding type 052D destroyer - all 60 UVLS cells are strike length ones). And it's certainly more firepower than 052C or any old type China's destroyer(which now function more like heavy frigates).
And with type 366s, it's capable of providing itself an OtH targeting solution in ASuV as well.

It's most certainly a prepared AMC - no way 100 TEU zhongda can take >10t recoil from that CIWS without PLAN ... design suggestions.
Though to be fair, given how 1130 bended the container - at least this part is suspicious.
Also, it's unlikely a MR-90; more likely some satcom.

Overall, that's a bomb.

 

[Dilandu]

Overall, that's a bomb.

Yep, it pretty much is. There were a lot of theoretical thinking about such approach - but PLAN seems to be the first who just went forward and tested it.

Though to be fair, given how 1130 bended the container - at least this part is suspicious.

Seems that gun mount foundation is actually between the containers. I suppose, there are some wielded support structure beneath, that handles the recoil.

 

[Geoffrey de Vere]

In the end of this year,We could see American Missile Battleship,North Korean Strategic Submarine and Chinese Missile Container Ship?
WTF?HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!!!!!!

I won't be surprised if Lord Fisher's spirit is with us during this century.

 

[Ainen]

Seems that gun mount foundation is actually between the containers. I suppose, there are some wielded support structure beneath, that handles the recoil.

Turns out in fact two of them...

 

[SOC]

What is claimed to be Sat img

Hudong-Zhonghua, 31.280450 N 121.567259 E Location matches with the photographs as well.

 

[Dilandu]

Turns out in fact two of them...

Hm, strange. The second gun isn't on most photos. Maybe it was on pier, preparing to be loaded, not on ship itself?

 

[Scott Kenny]

So, 60x strike-length missile cells.

What about the radars? Are those primarily air-search types or (OTH?) surface-search?

I'm expecting air search radars, as a way to keep the two largest air forces in the world from blowing the Chinese merchant fleet out of the water.

 

[Blitzo]

So, 60x strike-length missile cells.

What about the radars? Are those primarily air-search types or (OTH?) surface-search?

One of them looks like a twin face rotating AESA (the angular one, mounted quite high) similar to the main sensor on the 054B frigate and the 076 large LHA -- a multifunction radar (air, surface search).
Then there are some other radomes for surface search/attack, and likely some networking antennae as well.

I'm expecting air search radars, as a way to keep the two largest air forces in the world from blowing the Chinese merchant fleet out of the water.

It would be a unique situation for such ships to be configured to operate outside of relatively permissive environments where they don't have the bulk of their friendly forces to support them.
These things don't really look consistent with Q-ships.

Also, why would the world's second largest air force (PLAAF) be interested in blowing their own merchant fleet out of the water?
(I partially jest because I assume this is a reference to the USN being the world's "second largest air force" while the USAF is the world's largest air force -- unfortunately it isn't quite true because the bulk of the USN's air fleet -- inclusive of both USN and USMC aircraft -- are helicopters. If one counts fixed wing combat aircraft, the USN would come in at a credible third or fourth depending on how it's measured, but the PLAAF today would be a credible second)

 

[Scott Kenny]

One of them looks like a twin face rotating AESA (the angular one, mounted quite high) similar to the main sensor on the 054B frigate and the 076 large LHA -- a multifunction radar (air, surface search).
Then there are some other radomes for surface search/attack, and likely some networking antennae as well.




It would be a unique situation for such ships to be configured to operate outside of relatively permissive environments where they don't have the bulk of their friendly forces to support them.
These things don't really look consistent with Q-ships.

Agreed, I'm assuming they're intended to be AAW/anti-missile defenders for a coastal convoy.

Also, why would the world's second largest air force (PLAAF) be interested in blowing their own merchant fleet out of the water?
(I partially jest because I assume this is a reference to the USN being the world's "second largest air force" while the USAF is the world's largest air force -- unfortunately it isn't quite true because the bulk of the USN's air fleet -- inclusive of both USN and USMC aircraft -- are helicopters. If one counts fixed wing combat aircraft, the USN would come in at a credible third or fourth depending on how it's measured, but the PLAAF today would be a credible second)

Okay, fair point about the PLAAF having a good claim to 2nd largest air force on Earth (and closing in on largest).

But yes, I was making the joke about USN Naval Aviation being the second largest air force on earth. And the US Navy's "Army" has the 4th or 5th largest Air Force.

 

[Blitzo]

Agreed, I'm assuming they're intended to be AAW/anti-missile defenders for a coastal convoy.

Also useful for extending fixed/semi-fixed IADS out to sea for coastal/semi-inland locations.
The VLS themselves seem to be UVLS pattern (same as on 052D/055) so in theory they could also accommodate land attack/anti ship munitions.

Okay, fair point about the PLAAF having a good claim to 2nd largest air force on Earth (and closing in on largest).

But yes, I was making the joke about USN Naval Aviation being the second largest air force on earth. And the US Navy's "Army" has the 4th or 5th largest Air Force.

Indeed.
I think the whole "USN being world's second largest air force" thing does have some merit and is technically true if one counts rotary aircraft as equal to being tactical fixed wing aircraft (and same goes for US Army), and raises some interesting questions about how one counts an "equivalent aircraft". USAF has the world's largest fleet of tankers by a mile, but does that mean a KC-135 or KC-46 is "one aircraft" in the same sense that a MH-60S of the USN is?
But most people automatically assume "largest air force" by airframe count refers to fixed wing combat air.

I digress

 

[PMN1]

Looks more to me as a testbed for on unmanned surface vessel????

 

[publiusr]

A show of force with a modern Q-ship

Chinese Cargo Ship Packed Full Of Modular Missile Launchers Emerges

China has packed a deck of a medium-sized cargo ship with 60 containerized vertical launch cells, radar, and close-in weapons.

www.yahoo.com

I think that could have been disguised a bit better---then too...this is just showing the ball before the shell game truly begins.

Not every container ship...but any container ship.

Speaking of…

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lis5CdQKRPs&pp=ugUEEgJlbg%3D%3D

 

[PMN1]

But with those guidance radars and CIWS visible, is it a Q ship??

A show of force with a modern Q-ship

Chinese Cargo Ship Packed Full Of Modular Missile Launchers Emerges

China has packed a deck of a medium-sized cargo ship with 60 containerized vertical launch cells, radar, and close-in weapons.

www.yahoo.com

I think that could have been disguised a bit better---then too...this is just showing the ball before the shell game truly begins.

Not every container ship...but any container ship.

But with the guidance radars and CIWS visible, is it a Q ship.....looks more like a testbed for an USV to me.

 

[publiusr]

Maybe, but it wouldn't take much to cover all that up with fiberglass shells.

Radars and such go on "the back porch" of some of the ships that have container space behind the bridge structure.

I would have corrugated fiberglass forms that look two-to-four containers tall, but are really upside down "L" shaped blinds (in cross-section).

Everything you see exposed could be hidden, if not containerized itself.

Ironic how the whole concept of container ships (meant as a blow to trucking and longshoremen) came home to roost.

Labor intensive cargo ships of yore might only sport a couple of deck guns.

 

[Sferrin]

Maybe, but it wouldn't take much to cover all that up with fiberglass shells.

Radars and such go on "the back porch" of some of the ships that have container space behind the bridge structure.

I would have corrugated fiberglass forms that look two-to-four containers tall, but are really upside down "L" shaped blinds (in cross-section).

Everything you see exposed could be hidden, if not containerized itself.

Ironic how the whole concept of container ships (meant as a blow to trucking and longshoremen) came home to roost.

Labor intensive cargo ships of yore might only sport a couple of deck guns.

And the first time they use one it's open season on Chinese cargo, fishing, etc. ships.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Looks more to me as a testbed for on unmanned surface vessel????

You know, that's not exactly a bad take.

It certainly could be totally unmanned combat systems while the ship is operated by a crew.

 

[Scott Kenny]

A show of force with a modern Q-ship

Chinese Cargo Ship Packed Full Of Modular Missile Launchers Emerges

China has packed a deck of a medium-sized cargo ship with 60 containerized vertical launch cells, radar, and close-in weapons.

www.yahoo.com

I think that could have been disguised a bit better---then too...this is just showing the ball before the shell game truly begins.

Not every container ship...but any container ship.

No, I don't think it's a Q ship.

I think it's going to be a military-flagged vessel to operate as a coastal convoy escort. "Armed Merchantman" not "Q-ship"

 

[Ainen]

I think the whole "USN being world's second largest air force" thing does have some merit and is technically true if one counts rotary aircraft as equal to being tactical fixed wing aircraft (and same goes for US Army), and raises some interesting questions about how one counts an "equivalent aircraft". USAF has the world's largest fleet of tankers by a mile, but does that mean a KC-135 or KC-46 is "one aircraft" in the same sense that a MH-60S of the USN is?

It's annoying to count, b/c with rotary wings IIRC VKS will be handily larger than USN+Marine air (and those win over it largely via huge trainer fleet).
Overall, it's simpler to count these as“groups"： group 1, USAF/PLAAF, group 2: Navair/VKS, group 3 - big regional air forces (and also Marine air and PLANAF). Otherwise, we indeed deal with overlaps, uncertainties and weighting individual inputs, which is subjective.

You know, that's not exactly a bad take.

It certainly could be totally unmanned combat systems while the ship is operated by a crew.

True, and i also thought this can be even an mobilization drone, but we can see that this adds additioanl life raft conainers(between countermeasure launchers) on top of vessel's own ones.
Liekely implication is these containers are manned.

 

[Dilandu]

Agreed, I'm assuming they're intended to be AAW/anti-missile defenders for a coastal convoy.

They are likely multi-purpose second-line units, designed to free proper warships from protecting rear communications. But also likely could be used as fleet support, amphibious landing protection, radar pickets, ect. Basically the same role auxilary cruisers were always used; to cover areas which did not demand highly durable or heavy armed units, freeing warships for more important deployments.

 

[TwoTribes]

And the first time they use one it's open season on Chinese cargo, fishing, etc. ships.

Even without such weapons, a comprehensive maritime blockade against China would still be launched. Strangling China's foreign trade at sea has become the SOP in war games conducted by nearly all American think tanks.

When merchant ships can no longer fulfill their original purpose, they can only be converted for alternative uses.

 

[Kat Tsun]

Fire support ship to replace Changsha maybe? That's a lot of VLS for cruise missiles.

 

[TwoTribes]

Turns out in fact two of them...
View attachment 796478

Near

Far

 

[Dilandu]

Fire support ship to replace Changsha maybe? That's a lot of VLS for cruise missiles.

Not exactly, she got long-range air detection, over-the-horizon detection & tracking, and fire control radars for SAM's.

 

[TwoTribes]

 

[Kat Tsun]

Not exactly, she got long-range air detection, over-the-horizon detection & tracking, and fire control radars for SAM's.

SAM traps about to go crazy in 2027.

 

[Ainen]

SAM traps about to go crazy in 2027.

I don't think it's a normal "Q" trap, far too expensive for that.

it's way more in this direction, though of course much more modular.

 

[TwoTribes]

The words on the container are rather darkly humorous.

Upper left corner, "集装箱化武器模块开发套件", containerized Weapon Module Development Kit.

Lower right corner, "中华民族海洋复兴与人类海洋命运共同体", the Chinese Nation's Maritime Rejuvenation and the Human Maritime Community with a Shared Future.

 

[Ainen]

This visible wording makes me thing that it's a private initiative, rather than 100% embraced PLA program(supported - of course, but there's distance here). Someone is meant to read it, and likely it's PLA/Government/Party leadership, as well as broad civilian society.

No need for such visible wording when everything is already on track.

 

[totoro]

Near
View attachment 796558
Far
View attachment 796557

Whereeever you aree, i beeelieve that the heart does goo ooon...

 

[Rumil]

And the first time they use one it's open season on Chinese cargo, fishing, etc. ships.

I mean that's obvious to Chinese, Colby even wrote a whole paper on targeting ports, civilian maritime operations.

So if they are "goin' down, they goin' down swingin"

 

[DWG]

Turns out in fact two of them...
View attachment 796478

That arrangement would make most sense with three, and if the high weapon is on the centreline with a five wide arrangement of containers, then there should be room for one to port, plus the outboard container with decoy launchers as well, matching what we see to starboard here. Though offsetting them en echelon might make most sense if you have the space.

 

[Kat Tsun]

View attachment 796562
The words on the container are rather darkly humorous.

Upper left corner, "集装箱化武器模块开发套件", containerized Weapon Module Development Kit.

Lower right corner, "中华民族海洋复兴与人类海洋命运共同体", the Chinese Nation's Maritime Rejuvenation and the Human Maritime Community with a Shared Future.

you guys have NGOs developing guided missile ships???

2nd amendment MOST alive in PRC

And the first time they use one it's open season on Chinese cargo, fishing, etc. ships.

Nobody, except median age and older civilian Americans, thinks otherwise tbf.

Even then the elderly Gen X admirals talk about CCG like they did the Soviet fishing fleet and Aeroflot in the day (I assume).

I don't think it's a normal "Q" trap, far too expensive for that.
View attachment 796563
it's way more in this direction, though of course much more modular.

The most depressing/lame theory I've heard is it's a set prop for another goofy action movie.