China Builds Fleet of Small Warships While U.S. Drifts

TLAM Strike · 08-05-11, 12:08 AM

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.

08-05-11, 12:08 AM	#2
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	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. __________________