Type 815 Class (Dongdiao Class) Chinese Intelligence-Collection and Missile-Range Instrumentation Ship

Type 815 spy ship or electronic surveillance ship and its derivative Type 815G are the newest Chinese electronic surveillance ships in service (as of 2014) with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). A total of two ships have been confirmed, one Type 815, and the other Type 815G. Type 815 was formerly named as Dong-Diao (东调, meaning "East Investigate") (Pennant #232), but subsequently, the name was changed to Polaris after new naming convention adopted by PLAN. After entering service in the latter half of 1999, the ship went through major upgrade several years later, with parabolic antennas replaced by three large radomes. In addition to collecting electronic intelligence, this class is also tasked to perform ballistic missile tracking. There is a hangar for a helicopter.