The Houbi class missile boats are really just a replacement for all the Osa type missile boats china is retiring and has a lot of their problems. Mainly they lack air defense and have no on board OTH targeting ability (ie no heli). The only way such a ship could be effective is under friendly air cover, even if it were paired with one of China's new AAW destroyers it still lacks a real OTH ability since its one helo would be very vulnerable to attack from carrier based fighters.
But I think boats like this should cause the USN to bring back the Sub-Harpoon as it seems very suited to deal with small fast poorly armed craft.
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