The Chinese Navy (PLAN) today commissioned the first of two Type 054B new generation frigates in Qingdao, Shandong province. The ceremony represents a major milestone a little over two years after the modules for the first hull were spotted at builder Hudong in Shanghai around December 2022. Hudong had launched the hull in August 2023 and the ship started sea trials one year ago in January 2024.
Both existing frigates have received their hull number, 545 and 555 respectively, at the end of last year. The first ship has now received the name “Luohe” (漯河). After commissioning the new frigate will serve with PLAN’s Northern Theater Navy (or North Sea Fleet). The second Type 054B should enter service in the near future. Hull number 555 will likely serve with the Southern Theater Navy (or South Sea Fleet).
State media as part of the ceremony provided some further basic information, without revealing particular new data. Notably a report shared on Chinese social media gives displacement as “about 5,000 tons”. Whether this is standard or full displacement remains unclear. Media also touted the new design’s enhanced combat and multirole capabilitie. This includes advances in command & control, signature reduction and new integrated weapon capabilities.
New Design With Evolutionary Changes
The Type 054B is a completely new design from the keel up. Nevertheless the frigate appears to share some key characteristics with the preceding Type 054A FFG. The new ship is approximately 15 metres longer than 054A, with an overall length around 150 metres. Combined with a wider beam of around 17 metres, one metre wider than the old design, the hull provides ample room for new or improved subsystems. As mentioned, displacement should be somewhat higher than the official statement. A Naval News estimate is between 5,500 and 6,000 tons, considering the Type 054A displaces 4,500 tons at full load.
Signature changes compared to previous Type 054A variants include a new 100 mm main gun, a prominent new dual-face rotating AESA radar on the main mast, and an additional rotating AESA radar, likely in X-band, under a cover on the secondary mast also carrying various sensors and communication equipment. Instead of the Type 366 surface search radar Type 054B only carries a fire control radar for the main gun above the bridge. The new hull from the outset accommodates the larger Z-20 helicopter, as opposed to the older and lighter Z-9 on Type 054A.
Nevertheless the type shares some key commonalities with its predecessor. This includes the 32 cell-H/AKJ-16 VLS and eight YJ-83 antiship missiles in slanted deck launchers amidships. Most notably the new ship shares the CODAD-propulsion arrangement with Type 054A. It is conceivable that some similarities are superficial. Propulsion for example likely features new engines with higher output to deal with the increased displacement.
Similarly it is possible that Type 054B carries an improved version of the HQ-16 medium range SAM on Type 054A. Such a change could be in line with the new sensor configuration, perhaps including a missile capable of active radar homing. This step could provide a significant gain in engagement range. Any specifications howevever remain firmly speculative, until more imagery reveals further details on its configuration.
Transition From 054A Unclear
As Naval News has previously reported, the Type 054B will likely succeed the venerable Type 054A in service with PLAN. When this transition will occur remains somewhat unclear. Strikingly, an improved Type 054A, sometimes referred to as Type 054AG, remains in active production at Hudong and Huangpu, the principal frigate-producers for PLAN. Type 054AG shares some intriguing similarities with Type 054B. For the latest batch this includes the new 100 mm main gun and an extended flight-deck including a larger hangar to embark the Z-20. The design also includes revisions to its sensor configuration, doing away with the old MR-90 illumination radars in preference of fixed AESA panels on the superstructure.
The Type 054A-production run has now exceeded 40 units, spread across several variants with successive improvements. Importantly Type 054A itself followed the original Type 054, of which PLAN only fielded two units and which lacked a VLS. Therefore it seems possible that Type 054B may also follow a gradual development approach. Further hulls may only commence construction once PLAN has tested the first two frigates and considered possible improvements or adaptions to the design. In the meantime additional Type 054AG will provide fleet growth and enable retirement of older types with PLAN.
