The Type 680 training ship with NATO reporting name Dadu,[1][2][3] otherwise known as Qi Jiguang is a training ship of the People's Liberation Army Navy.[1][2][3] It joined the PLA Navy on 21 February 2017.[4]
 Qi Jiguang in Brunei, 2019 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 China | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Qi Jiguang |
| Builder | Liaonan Shipyard, Dalian |
| Completed | November 2016 |
| Commissioned | 21 February 2017 |
| In service | 2017-Present |
| Homeport | Dalian, Liaoning |
| Identification | Pennant number: AX-83 |
| Nickname(s) | NATO reporting name Dadu |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Training ship |
| Displacement | 9000 t |
| Length | 163 m (535 ft) |
| Beam | 22 m (72 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 SEMT-Pielstick diesels, 2 shafts, 7,200 bhp |
| Speed | 22 kn |
| Range | 10,000 nmi |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 x multi-purpose boats2 x life boats |
| Complement | Crew: 450 Instructors: 50 Cadets: 400 |
| Armament | 1 x 76 mm single H/PJ-262 x 30 mm H/PJ-17 |
| Aircraft carried | 1 Changhe Z-8 |
Construction and career
The type 680 engaged in a number of training voyages around the Indo-Pacific Region in 2019, notably visiting Wellington in New Zealand between 22 and 26 October. Rear Admiral Yu Wenbing invited various New Zealanders to a courtesy reception scheduled for 29 October 2019. Victoria University of Wellington staff discussed whether it was appropriate to attend the reception; in the event, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Rebecca Needham, a former director of the VUW Confucius Institute, attended the event, along with several staff members of the university's Confucius Institute attended.[5] The New Zealand Defence Force said the visit had been arranged through normal diplomatic channels.
Gallery
- Qi Jiguang Gallery
Qi Jiguang’s starboard side.
Qi Jiguang’s midship antenna and radar arrays.
Qi Jiguang’s smoke stack.
Qi Jiguang’s navigational ship compass.
Qi Jiguang’s forward bow view of all her main armaments.
Qi Jiguang builder's plaque.
Qi Jiguang’s aft view towards midship.
Qi Jiguang’s life boat.
Qi Jiguang’s helipad.
Qi Jiguang at anchor, 21 June 2019
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