Dachou-class torpedo retriever/target ship explained

The Dachou class range support vessel/target ship (AGT)/torpedo retriever (TR/TRW) is a class of little known auxiliary ship built in the People's Republic of China (PRC) for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]} Designed as a successor of earlier Type 917 torpedo retriever (TR/TWR)/target ship (AGT), the exact domestic Chinese type designation remains unknown, and this class is identified by its NATO reporting name Dachou class,^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} or 大筹 in Chinese, meaning "big plan". Specification:^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

• Length: 68m (223feet)

The Dachou class in PLAN service is designated by a combination of two Chinese characters followed by a three-digit number. The second Chinese character is Yun (运), meaning Transport in Chinese, indicating that in addition to range support and targeting missions, this class is also used as transport (AP), though some modification work is required to remove onboard range support and targeting equipment before it can be used to transport cargoes. The first Chinese character denotes which fleet the ship is service with, with East (Dong, 东) for East Sea Fleet, North (Bei, 北) for North Sea Fleet, and South (Nan, 南) for South Sea Fleet. However, the pennant numbers are subject to change due to changes of Chinese naval ships naming convention, or when units are transferred to different fleets. As of 2022, a total of four ships have been identified:^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Type	NATO designation	Pennant No.	Name (English)	Name (Han 中文)	Commissioned	Displacement	Fleet	Status
Dachou-class target ship (AGT)	Dachou class	Bei-Yun 530	North Transport 530	北运 530	?	? t	North Sea Fleet	Active
		Dong-Yun 760	East Transport 760	东运 760	?	? t	East Sea Fleet	Active
		Nan-Yun 846	South Transport 846	南运 846	?	? t	South Sea Fleet	Active
		Nan-Yun 847	South Transport 847	南运 847	?	? t	South Sea Fleet	Active

Notes and References

1. Web site: PLANS recognition guide 2018. July 16, 2018.
2. Web site: PLANS recognition guide 2019. February 19, 2020.
3. Web site: PLANS recognition guide 2020. February 19, 2020.
4. Web site: PLANS recognition guide 2015. August 7, 2015.
5. Web site: Dachou class AGT/TR/TWR . Zh-hans . April 15, 2013.