425 (Plant 425), the predecessor of Wuhu Shipyard first developed a wooden demolition boat designated as Type 308 for PLAN.

Production of Type 308 demolition boat begun in January 1960, and the first unit was launched in June that year.

Due to the political turmoil in China at the time, namely, Great Leap Forward, the boat was turned over to PLAN on July 11, 1960, long before sea trials had been conducted, which was not completed until two years later in 1962.

Therefore, in 1964, the original design was updated to incorporate a remote control system,[1][2][3] which was approved in December that year.

Production run of Type 80 lasted from 1980 through 1984,[2][3] and it's believed they are currently being retired from front line service, being replaced by unmanned surface vehicles in PLAN.