Type 946 (Dazhou Class) Offshore Submarine Rescue Ship

The PLA Navy demanded two Type 946 (NATO codename: Dazhou class) offshore submarine rescue ships in January 1970. The construction was originally scheduled to be carried out by Shanghai-based Zhonghua Shipyard, but this was later relocated to Guangzhou Shipyard in Southern China. The first-of-class Nanjiu 502 was launched in May 1977 and was commissioned by the South Sea Fleet in December the same year. The second hull Nanjiu 504 was delivered in February 1978.

The Type 946 is a small general-purpose salvage/rescue ship for conventional submarines. Some reports suggested that the ship may have also been used for electronic surveillance role for this cannot be confirmed. The ship is armed with two dual-37mm AAA guns and four dual-14.5mm anti-aircraft machine guns (AAMG).

Nanjiu 504 was re-assigned to the North Sea Fleet in the 1990s to become Beijiu 137.

Shiplist

Specifications

Displacement: (Full) 1,100 tonnes
Dimensions: Length 79m; Beam 9.5m, Draft 2.6m
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts
Speed: Maximum 18 knots
Crew: 130
Aviation: None
Armament: 2 X Type 76 dual-37mm AAA; 4 X dual-14.5mm AAMG

Last update: 19 October 2007