In its annual report with regard to China’s military, Pentagon reveals this month that China has deployed 60 Houbei class trimaran FAC at the disputed area of South China Sea. The Houbei class FAC was first launch in 2004. The boat incorporate stealth feature and wave piercing catamaran hull.
PLAN Houbei class FAC
83 of these have been built with one third of the boats are currently deployed to bases near the South China Sea. With 36 knots of speed, it is armed with 8 C801/802/803 ASM. The C802 missile has gained glory when it had nearly sunk an Israeli ship during the 2006 Lebanon War.
The deployment of Houbei class ships was seen as China’s response to US plan to deploy USS Freedom, the lead ship in Freedom class LCS vessel which also incorporates stealth configuration and design.
USS Freedom
Yesterday during the Shangri-La dialogue held in Singapore, US Defence Secretary revealed that the American plans to deployed 60% of its naval asset to Asia Pacific by 2020. The shift was not aimed to contain China whose military might and presence is very much felt by most countries in this region over the past years.
China however indicate that it is not happy with the US boosting its presence.
On the other hand, the Philippines Navy has recently accepted its second frigate of the former USCG Hamilton class cutter. Rechristened as BRP Ramon Alcaraz, it is the sister ship of BRP Gregorio Del Pillar who was involved in recent naval standoff with China in South China Sea.
BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the second of PhilNavy Hamilton class cutter
While currently both ships retain a 76mm gun, they will be upraded with better weaponry and sensor suites soon. Manila is also looking forward for the locally developed Multi Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) in which 40 of the ships will be procured.
PhilNavy MPAC
The MPAC looks superficially similar to CB-90 boats which is currently operational with the RMN at Layang-layang Island as well as its other offshore station located at the South China Sea.
RMN CB-90 boat
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