China's Navy puts into service a new Type 054B missile frigate
The People's Liberation Army Navy of China (PLAN) has officially commissioned the first Type 054B guided-missile frigate CNS Luohe. The commissioning ceremony took place in Shandong province, and the frigate was handed over to the North Sea Fleet.
Here's What We Know
The frigate was built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. The Type 054B is the largest class of PLAN frigates, comparable in size to China's old destroyers. According to researcher Xiao Liang, the ship's large size allows it to carry more ammunition and fuel, and provides greater potential for modernisation.
The frigate is capable of carrying the Harbin Z-20 multi-purpose helicopter for advanced submarine detection, tracking and destruction.
NATO and the United States classify this type of frigate as the Jiangkai III. The second ship of this class is currently under construction. The ship will carry out both anti-submarine missions and air defence functions of the fleet.
According to available information, the frigate has a displacement of about 5,000 tonnes, a length of 147 metres and a width of 18 metres. It is equipped with a 32-cell vertical launch system, eight anti-ship missiles, a 100mm gun and several close air defence systems.
Among the features of the new frigate is the use of local systems instead of Russian equipment. In particular, it is equipped with the latest radar with an electronic scanned array, advanced electronic warfare systems and a sensor matrix.
The frigate can also use an updated version of the HQ-16 anti-aircraft missile, which is compatible with the new sensors. Analyst Alex Luck noted that the ship is a marked departure from the Russian technical base used in previous models, such as the Type 054A.
Source: ChinaDaily
