Type-037-IS (Haiqing)

The Type 037-I Haiqing-class is a class of submarine chasers and patrol craft built for the People's Liberation Army Navy. These vessels are primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and coastal patrol duties, equipped with sonar and anti-submarine weaponry.

Developed in the late 1980s as an evolutionary upgrade to the Hainan-class, the Type 037-IS (Haiqing-class) was designed to modernize the People's Liberation Army Navy's littoral defense and counter the growing submarine threat in regional waters. The lead vessel of this class entered service in 1993, featuring improved automation, upgraded propulsion, and integrated weapon systems compared to its predecessors. Throughout their operational life, these vessels were heavily deployed for sovereignty patrols in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, frequently participating in maritime surveillance and escort missions. While many units have since been decommissioned, transferred to the Coast Guard, or exported to partner nations, the class served as a vital stepping stone toward China's modern corvette-based littoral defense strategy.