Type-062-1 (Shanghai III)

The Type 062-I (Shanghai III) is a class of fast patrol boats developed by China, widely exported and operated by numerous navies worldwide. These versatile vessels are primarily used for coastal defense, anti-smuggling operations, and general patrol duties.

Developed in the late 1980s as an upgraded successor to the widely produced Type 062 class, the Type 062-I was designed to address its predecessor's limitations in seaworthiness, crew habitability, and outdated manual weaponry. The class officially entered service with the People's Liberation Army Navy in 1988, featuring a larger hull and modernized, semi-automatic gun mounts. While primarily deployed by China for sovereignty patrols in the South China Sea, exported variants saw active combat, most notably with the Sri Lankan Navy during its operations against the LTTE. Today, while being gradually phased out of front-line Chinese naval service in favor of modern corvettes, numerous units remain active within regional coast guards and foreign partner navies.