Naval Systems

Type 081 / 081A Wochi-class mine countermeasure vessel

Also known as
  • Wochi class
  • Wochi-class
  • Type 081 mine countermeasure vessel
  • Type 081A mine countermeasure vessel
  • Wochi II
  • Type 081A Wochi II

The Type 081 / 081A Wochi class is a People's Liberation Army Navy mine-countermeasures vessel family built around coastal minesweeping, patrol, escort, and mine-clearance work. The family covers the original Type 081 batch, commissioned from 2007 with a twin 37 mm gun, and the enlarged Type 081A / Wochi II follow-on ships, which use a 30 mm forward gun and carry acoustic sweeping equipment for bottom-mine clearance.

Type 081 / 081A Wochi-class mine countermeasure vessel, PLAN mine countermeasure vessel family, Naval Systems
Image source: Wikimedia Commons: PLAN-081-805.jpg
Profile / Specs

Specifications

Type 081 displacement
About 996 tonnes
Type 081 length
About 65 m
Type 081 armament
1 x Type 76 twin 37 mm naval gun
Type 081A displacement
About 1,200 tonnes
Type 081A length
About 67.8 m
Type 081A beam
About 10 m
Type 081A armament
1 x H/PJ-14 or H/PJ17 single 30 mm naval gun
Mine-countermeasures equipment
Acoustic sweeping gear and towed minesweeping line equipment for bottom-mine clearance
Variants

The Wochi family is split into the original Type 081 batch and the enlarged Type 081A / Wochi II follow-on ships.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Type 081Original Wochi batch

The batch includes four listed ships, about 996 tonnes full-load displacement, a Type 76 twin 37 mm gun, and deck equipment for offshore minesweeping.

Sources: Type 081 Zhangjiagang (Vortex-class) minesweeper - GlobalSecurity, Type 081 - Deagel, Guide to Chinese Navy (PLAN) Mine Countermeasures Capabilities

Type 081AEnlarged Wochi II follow-on batch

The batch includes ten listed ships, a larger hull, about 1,200 tonnes full-load displacement, a 30 mm forward gun, and acoustic sweeping equipment retained for mine-clearance tasks.

Sources: Type 081 Zhangjiagang (Vortex-class) minesweeper - GlobalSecurity, Type 081 - Deagel, Guide to Chinese Navy (PLAN) Mine Countermeasures Capabilities

Timeline

Type 081 / 081A Wochi-class mine countermeasure vessel Key Events

  1. Zhangjiagang enters PLAN service

    The lead Type 081 ship entered People's Liberation Army Navy service in March 2007.

    Sources: Type 081 Zhangjiagang (Vortex-class) minesweeper - GlobalSecurity

  2. Type 081A follow-on batch begins service

    The Type 081A / Wochi II batch reached initial operational service with larger displacement and a 30 mm gun fit.

    Sources: Type 081 - Deagel

  3. Eastern Theater Command minesweepers train at sea

    Jingjiang and Kunshan were shown sailing in formation during a maritime training exercise under the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command.

    Sources: Minesweepers sail in formation - China Military Online

Related Weapon Systems
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Sources

Type 081 Zhangjiagang (Vortex-class) minesweeper - GlobalSecurityPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports Type 081 and Type 081A class background, PLAN service context, builder context, and the reported displacement, length, and gun fit for both batches. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Type 081 - DeagelPublisher: Deagel.com | Note: Supports the Type 081 / 081A Wochi-class naming, contractor context, reported IOC, and open-source production counts. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Guide to Chinese Navy (PLAN) Mine Countermeasures CapabilitiesPublisher: H.I. Sutton | Note: Supports the class's mine countermeasure role and acoustic sweeping context within PLAN mine warfare forces. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Minesweepers sail in formation - China Military OnlinePublisher: China Military Online | Note: Supports December 2024 PLAN minesweeper training context for Jingjiang and Kunshan under the Eastern Theater Command. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Wikimedia Commons: PLAN-081-805.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the primary image provenance and reuse context for the Type 081 class ship photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-29