The C13B or Shadhinata class guided missile corvette, arguably one of the most modern examples of Chinese built warships exported in recent times is equipped with state-of-the-art armaments and sensors ensuring it is able to conduct surface and anti-air warfare with confidence.
It has a stealthy hull design with sloped surface and a reduced superstructure clutter. There is a helipad at the stern for a light helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The main anti-ship armament consists of 4 x C-802A sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missiles in two twin-cell launchers. The primary anti-aircraft armament is one FL-3000N short range missile system with 8 rounds. A 76.2 mm H/PJ-26 (NG 16-1 main gun is mounted forward, 2 x H/PJ-17 30mm RWSs located on the amidships and 2 x 14.5 mm CS/LM-9 HMGs.
Construction for the first two Shadhinota (Independence) class modified Type 056 corvettes commenced at Wuchan Shipyard in Wuhan for the Bangladesh Navy on 8 January 2013. Deliveries of the guided missile corvettes started in December 2015. The first two vessels reached Bangladesh on 10/01/2016 and were commissioned on 19/03/2016. Contracts for another two units were awarded to Wuchan Shipyard in 30 September 2015 and deliveries were completed in 27 April 2019.
It should be noted that the second batch is equipped with more advanced 3D radar of Chinese origin similar to Thales Smart-S.
Four more units are planned to be constructed indigenously at Khulna Shipyard.
