As we enter the new year, this article will review the most important aspects concerning Chinese naval modernization in 2023.
New Frigate
The year began with promise in January already. The first complete hull of what has since become known as Type 054B next generation frigate emerged in imagery from Hudong in Shanghai. A fully new design, Type 054B will likely succeed the tried and tested 054A-frigate. This predecessor has enjoyed a production run of 40 hulls. The last few of the latest production run have also joined the fleet in 2023. Further images confirmed Type 054B to also be under construction at Huangpu. Both yards have since launched their respective builds, first in Shanghai on August 26, and subsequently in Guangzhou on October 30. To date no further hulls are observed under construction. PLAN possibly wants to await testing and evaluation of those initial hulls before moving ahead with further orders.
Meanwhile the more tried and tested 052D-series of destroyers also saw continued construction, both at Dalian Shipbuilding in Dalian and at Jiangnan in Shanghai. By December Dalian had launched three out of five destroyers under construction in a single drydock. Jiangnan has launched two or possibly three 052D and still has at least one more hull under assembly. At this stage it is somewhat uncertain what the final count for the type will be. Construction of further Type 055 destroyers may also play into these calculations. However, progress with the large destroyer-type after the initial built of eight ships appears to have slowed. Based on imagery one Type 055 DDG is under construction at Jiangnan. Possibly one more hull is also under construction at Dalian, at the Dagushan-based yards, although open source-imagery remains inconclusive.
Aircraft Carrier Fujian starts prepares for first trial
For carrier- and amphibious capability one of two headliners for Chinese naval modernization in 2023 was, as expected, again the third aircraft carrier Fujian. The first of her class, featuring electromagnetic catapults for conventional take off and arrested landing (CATOBAR) of fixed wing combat aircraft, continued her fitting-out at Jiangnan in Shanghai. Most importantly in November Fujian had begun with the first dead load-catapult test launches. The step underscores steady progress towards an expected first sea trial in 2024. Over the last few days of December tugboats towed the carrier back into drydock. The rationale for this move remains unknown. However it seems plausible that the hull will receive a thorough clean and inspection preparing Fujian for her sea trials this year.
The second major occurrence was the rapid construction of a fourth Type 075 amphibious assault ship at Hudong in Shanghai. Interestingly the ship has managed to stay out of the public focus until assembly of her hull had already progressed substantially around July 2023. From then on it took another six months until Hudong launched the ship on December 14. It remains to be seen whether further Type 075-carrier are to follow. Alternatively, construction may move onto the much speculated about Type 076 amphibious carrier. This new design is supposedly equipped with a scaled down catapult launch system for enhanced drone-operations. New shipyard facilities for Hudong on Changxing Island, next to Jiangnan, have over the last few months of 2023, become operational and will be a significant asset for further naval construction.
New Zubr large amphibious hovercraft for PLAN
One more interesting amphibious effort over the last year was the renewed construction of Zubr-class large hovercrafts for the PLAN. China first procured two Zubr from Ukraine in 2014. Around 2018, the PLAN received two more of these large hovercraft assembled locally with imported components. Since then no further hulls were built, likely a consequence of the war between Russia and Ukraine. However, in May and then July 2023 two new Zubr have emerged in social media imagery, featuring some minor differences in equipment fitted and different serial numbers. The development suggests a new effort to produce more hulls for the PLAN is now underway.
Mystery Stealth Corvette
One more surprising revelation was the emergence of an intriguing new corvette at Liaonan Shipyard. This smaller facility is located next to the Lushun Naval Base in Liaoning Province, south of Dalian. Subsequent social media imagery suggests this to be an experimental design for a variety of new technologies. As such presumably no large scale construction will occur in the near future. Nevertheless such a prototype combatant may indicate future trends in naval design for the PLAN.
Few hints, but likely much to come for progress on submarine-fielding.
Progress in Chinese submarine construction is perhaps the most significant element of PLAN modernization. Inherent in its secretive character however it also remains the most obscure. The expanded production facilities of Bohai Shipyard at Huludao are engaged in steady work on more nuclear powered attack submarines (SSN). Based on satellite imagery the newly produced hulls appear to be a modified Type 09III-design. Changes may include integration of a vertical launch system (VLS) for cruise missiles. The shipyard launched least one of these new SSN, designated 09IIIB by the US DoD, in January 2023. This is in addition to one other hull built in 2022. Based on activity at Bohai in June and October 2023 the facility may have produced one or two further hulls, although this is not confirmed.
For conventional submarines, new information remains more scarce. The new “Yuan”-type submarine variant commonly referred to as Type 039C appears to be the only major current effort. The Type 039C now appears to be in service with the South Sea Fleet-based submarine squadron at Yulin on Hainan Island.
In summary, Chinese naval modernization in 2023 has experienced another productive year. Steady progress is evident preparing new combatants for fielding. Resumption of production for existing types with importance especially for the amphibious capabilities of the Chinese Navy is a second notable feature. The destroyer-fleet continues to grow with modern designs. Progress with submarines remains far more obscure. Growing indications point to this capability seeing more dynamic modernization in the near future.
