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An improvement of the basic Type 037, the Type 037I design was not generally considered a successful design, with only three examples built and one (pennant 688) still in service.

The main goals of the Type 037I design were to extend range and enhance submarine detection capability. Its hull was lengthened by four meters and displacement increased by 45 tons through added storage for 30 tons of additional fuel and fresh water. Also added were underway refueling capabilities, Thomson Sintra SS 12 VDS sonar, and four new 2500 horsepower V-12 E23PZC diesels engines with cruise range extended to 750 km. Other improvements included a copy of the AK230 Twin 30mm automatic cannon and improved command and control system.

The first example (pennant 688) entered production in 1981, trials started in 1982, but due to technical difficulties it did not commission until 1983. The program was discontinued after two additional examples (pennants 693 and 697) were completed, currently only pennant 693 still remains in service.

To fulfill a requirement proposed by the Naval Equipment and Technical Department, three Type 037I-based Fast Naval Hospital Craft were built without armament. They were:

J505 for South Sea Fleet’s Support Daidu, commissioned Oct 27, 1979.
J303 for East Sea Fleet’s Support Daidu, commissioned March 25, 1980.
J123 for North Sea Fleet’s Support Daidu, commissioned November 22, 1980.

In 1975, the Marine Transportation Department ordered two Type 073I based Fast Rescue Craft to operate under civilian command. The first unarmed “Shanghai Rescue 1” was handed over December 15, 1975, and the second “Binhai 409” on Sept 13, 1978.

The Type 037IS is a further improved model based on the Type 037I incorporating new shipbuilding technologies. The entire boat including the bridge is enclosed whereas the older Type 037 and 037I had an open bridge and superstructure. The depth charge racks were deleted and the four RBU 1200B 5-tubed fixed mortars were replaced by the two larger auto-reloadable Type 87. The two twin Type 66 57mm cannon were replaced by a pair of Type 76 37mm AAA guns, as it was thought very unlikely for the Type 037 to see another ship-to-ship action like that of 1974 where large caliber cannon were needed. Recently, the basic Type 76 guns were upgraded to the PLAN standard fully automatic radar-controlled Type 67F cannon with a much greater air defense capability. It continues to employ the same Thomson Sintra sonar as the Type 037.

The first example of this class was built at Qiuxin Shipyard in 1992 and later at a total of four shipyards at a rapid rate of production. Jane’s claims 24 examples of Type 037IS had been built when the program ended in the late 1990s. However, there are 30 known Type 037IS pennants from 611 to 614, 631 to 638, 710 to 717, 743 to 744, 761 to 763, 782, and 786 to 792. It is possible that some pennants were renumbered.

As the old Soviet-designed FAC predominantly built in the 1950s and 60s were withdrawn from service, the PLAN needed a reliable platform to reconstitute its depleted formations. Type 037IG is a simple solution to fulfill the PLAN immediate requirement for a reliable and inexpensive platform with great seaworthiness and greater patrol range. The Type 037IG is a modified Type 037I with all antisubmarine warfare equipment removed and an all enclosure supper structure added. In place of the depth charges is a pair of twin C-801 anti-ship missiles. As with the type 037IS, it is equipped with a pair of twin Type 67A 37mm cannons. Due to the additional anti-ship missiles and associated fire control systems, the standard displacement was increased to 478 tons. To maintain top speed with the added weight, four new V-12 E230 ZC 4000 HP diesel engines were installed. There are a total of 24 known pennants for Type 037IG: 651 to 656 and 751 to 769.

In comparison with other Asian navies, the Type 037 platform is very dated. It seems the PLAN is now focused on a new generation of FAC. However, given the proven track record of the Type 037, it is likely that the type will remain in service throughout the decade.