As a missile-carrier, the Haikou is outfitted with 48 x HHQ-9 series long-range surface-to-air missiles (a variant of a Chinese land-based missile development) seated in 8 x 6-cell Vertical Launch Systems. This provides the vessel with a wide-arcing defensive anti-aircraft net suitable for protecting the heart of the Chinese fleet when at sea. As with most modern destroyers/frigates, the Haikou also fields anti-ship missiles through a pairing of 8 x YJ-62 launchers (2 x 4-cell cylindrical launchers) while underwater threats are countered through 6 x 533mm torpedo launchers. For close-in surface threats and offshore bombardment operations supporting amphibious assaults, the Haikou showcases an automatic 100mm DP (Dual-Purpose) deck gun based on the French Creusot-Loire T100C along with 2 x 30mm Type 730 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) autocannons (one located fore and the other aft).
The Haikou was completed with a Type 348 four-array multifunction Phased Array Radar (PAR). The vessel is also given a point defense suite that includes 4 x 18 tube-launched rocket decoys. Many of the onboard systems of the Haikou and her class are of Chinese origination allowing for less reliance on foreign goods. Fire control is handled by the MR 331 series FC radar system.
The aft portion of the vessel is reserved for the integrated flight deck which can launch and receive medium-class helicopters while the available hangar allows for on-the-spot maintenance and repair. The primary helicopter in use is the indigenous Harbin Z-9C (or similar) or the Soviet-Russian all-weather submarine hunter / anti-ship warfare navalized Kamov Ka-28 "Helix". There is also growing onboard support for the launching and retrieving of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
As of this writing (2013), the Haikou retains an active status in the Chinese fleet.
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