July 4, 2025:  Twenty-one years ago, China commissioned the first of 82 Type 22 Fast Attack Missile Boats (FAMBs). These catamaran-type craft displace 200 tons empty and 220 tons fully loaded, carrying eight anti-ship missiles and a six-barrel 30mm autocannon. The crew can be equipped with shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles if needed.

The boats' electronics include surface search and navigation radars, a fire control system, and satellite navigation equipment. Designed to engage and destroy or damage larger warships, such as 5,000-ton destroyers, the FAMB lacks defensive weapons other than flares, which attempt to disrupt the accuracy of incoming anti-ship missiles. Constructed from aluminum, the FAMB is easily damaged and can be put out of action quickly.

A crew of 12 operates these boats on coastal patrols. With a top speed of 93 kilometers per hour, the FAMB can operate in waters less than two meters deep. It is highly agile, capable of performing a 360-degree turn in place.

Since the 1990s, China has surpassed the United States in warship construction. Currently, China’s navy comprises nearly 800 ships and over 400,000 personnel. In contrast, the U.S. Navy has approximately 500 vessels and 667,000 sailors. American ships have a combined displacement of 4.1 million tons, significantly outweighing China’s total of 2.8 million tons.

However, China’s Achilles’ heel lies in its lack of experience and real-world capability. The U.S. fleet has been the world’s largest and most powerful since 1943. Meanwhile, China has spent decades developing its first true high-seas armada, moving beyond its historical reliance on smaller coastal defense craft. Personnel challenges further complicate matters—China struggles to recruit sufficient officers and sailors to crew its expanding fleet. Naval service lacks appeal among Chinese men, who are deterred by extended periods far from shore. In contrast, American crews routinely handle deployments lasting six months or longer. U.S. naval observers note that Chinese ships and crews at sea often display inexperience and struggle to address deficiencies in their seagoing skills.