North Sea Fleet | |
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The People's Liberation Army Navy jack and ensign|border
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Active | 1950–Present |
Country | People's Republic of China |
Allegiance | Communist Party of China |
Branch | People's Liberation Army Navy |
Type | Naval fleet |
Garrison/HQ | Qingdao Naval Base, China |
Commanders | |
commander | Vice Admiral Yuan Yubai |
The North Sea Fleet (NSF) is one of three fleets of the People's Liberation Army Navy. In September 1950 the Qingdao Army Base was redesignated as a naval base. Following the departure of the Soviet Navy from Lüshunkou (Port Arthur), the North Sea Fleet was established in 1960 with naval bases in Qingdao and Lüshunkou.
It includes nuclear-powered submarines: five Han class attack submarines and China's single Xia class submarine ballistic missile submarine, all based at Qingdao.
The NSF has historically received primacy during the allocation of the destroyers and frigates, as its role was to be defend of north east China (including Beijing) against any amphibious attacks by Soviet Union. However, unlike the East Sea and South Sea Fleets, it has never been involved in combat.
The fleet headquarters is located at Qingdao, with other major naval bases at:
The flagship of the fleet is the Harbin (112), a Luhu class destroyer.
Diesel-electric submarines