China Deploys 200-Ton Boats To Take On 10,000-Ton US Warships In South China Sea

As maritime tensions simmer between China and the United States, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has deployed its stealthy Type 22 fast attack missile boats. These operations are a part of China’s efforts to defend what it claims as its sovereign territory in one of the most geopolitically volatile maritime regions on the planet. The deployment follows the U.S. Navy’s growing presence near Chinese waters, which Beijing sees as a strategic provocation.

The Type 22, a 220-ton vessel known for its sleek catamaran design and stealth features, might appear diminutive next to the 8,000 to 9,000-ton warships it sometimes faces. But appearances can be deceptive. In a recent drill led by Commander Yang Wu of the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, a Type 22 reportedly intercepted a much larger foreign vessel with speed, stealth, and striking power. Using “quick maneuvers, low radar visibility, and strong firepower,” the boat asserted its presence, reportedly forcing the larger ship to withdraw.

Originally designed during a period when China lacked major surface combatants, the Type 22 remains relevant even as the PLA Navy transitions toward blue-water capabilities. As Chinese military analyst Wang Yunfei pointed out in the Global Times, the Type 22 was “engineered for an era when coastal defense was paramount.” With a top speed of around 50 knots and the ability to launch eight YJ-83 cruise missiles, the boat remains a lethal asset in shallow, reef-strewn waters where larger vessels struggle.

Its shallow draft allows it to operate effectively in the complex geography of the South China Sea, giving China an edge in coastal skirmishes. With waterjet propulsion, aluminum alloy construction, and a suite of electronic countermeasures including a six-barreled 30 mm cannon and jamming flares, the Type 22 brings frigate-level firepower in a stealthy, fast-moving package.

The PLA Navy underscored the significance of this vessel during its 76th anniversary on April 23, where more than 30 ships, including the Type 22, were showcased to the public. According to Xinhua News Agency, it is the first stealth catamaran missile boat in the PLA’s arsenal, symbolizing China’s focus on fast, versatile platforms for 21st-century maritime conflict.

Although the strategic emphasis of the PLA Navy is now shifting toward operating farther from shore, the continued use of the Type 22 demonstrates China’s desire to maintain layered defense capabilities. It also reflects a belief that speed, stealth, and agility can still neutralize larger, more traditional naval threats in specific tactical environments.