The Type 056 corvette fills the capability gap between the Type 022 missile boat and the Type 054A frigate.[9] It is 90 metres long, displaces 1500 tons,[10] and incorporates anti-radar features.[11] The Type 056 is suited for mid-range green-water missions and littoral duties, but not for major blue-water combat operations;[3] it is built with a 15-day endurance for combat missions such as patrol, escort and protection of EEZ maritime interests within 200 nmi (230 bt; 370 km) from the coast, freeing up larger warships for open ocean deployment.[12] The Type 056 corvette has crew of 78 people with a top speed of 25 knot (46 km/j), and a range of 3,500 batu nautika (6,500 km) at 16 knot (30 km/j).[13][14]

Surface armament is reported as an AK-176 76 mm naval gun, two 30 mm autocannons,[13] and four YJ-83 anti-ship missiles.[10] FL-3000N surface-to-air missiles are carried in a single eight-cell launcher.[13] Finally, there are two triple-tube 324 mm torpedo launchers,[10] which may carry Yu-7 light ASW torpedoes.[13]

The basic Type 056 is equipped with Type 347G (LR66) radar and bow-mounted sonar.[13] The Type 056A adds towed array and variable depth sonars (VDS);[10] the towed body suggests the VDS is "not an exact copy" of either the Italian/US DE-1163 or the French DUBV-43. It is likely that the Chinese will have undertaken extensive trials and analysis of any imported equipment and built a nominally indigenous system using the knowledge gained.[15]

The Type 056 has a helicopter deck for a Z-9-sized helicopter, but no hangar.[10]