Electronic Reconnaissance Vessel Joins Chinese South China Sea Fleet

An electronic reconnaissance ship has joined the Chinese South China Sea fleet as part of three newly commissioned vessels.

The Type 815G electronic reconnaissance ship Neptune (Hull No. 852) is able to conduct continuous all-weather reconnaissance of various targets within a certain range, Chinese media reported today.

A ceremony marking the beginning of military service of the three vessels, the supply ship Luguhu, the electronic reconnaissance ship Neptune and the pelagic survey vessel Qian Xuesen was held at a naval port in the South China Sea on Saturday.

The Type 904B supply ship Luguhu differs from its predecessor Type 904A supply ship Fuxianhu in that, instead of the portal frame type platform, which is specific to the comprehensive supply ship, there are two davits mounted on each side in the middle section of the ship and a hangar which enhances the vertical replenishment capacity.

The ship is designed to provide material supply for the troops stationed in the Nansha islands, and undertake such tasks as providing supply for a ship formation and maritime medical aid at a certain degree.

The Qian Xuesen is the third ship of the Type 636A pelagic survey vessel family. It conducts survey of oceans and reefs, marine meteorology observation and layout of hydrometeorological buoys to provide basic data to guarantee navigation safety and carry out marine scientific research.

The sound attenuation is the most remarkable performance of the survey vessel, which is even more excellent than that of the Russian Kilo-class submarines known as the “ocean black hole” in the world.