Chinese Navy Commissions First Type 054B Next Gen Frigate
The Chinese Navy commissioned the first two new-generation Type 054B frigates today in Qingdao, Shandong. The ceremony marked a major milestone for the Hudong Shipyard, which unveiled the first hull modules in Shanghai around December 2022. The Hudong Shipyard launched the hull in August 2023, and the ship began sea trials a year ago in January 2024.
The two active frigates received the hull numbers 545 and 555 respectively at the end of last year. The first ship has now been named “Luohe”. The new frigate will serve in the Chinese Navy’s Northern Fleet (or North Sea Fleet) after it is commissioned. The second Type 054B frigate is expected to be commissioned in the near future. The hull number 555 will probably serve in the Southern Theater Navy (or South Sea Fleet).
As part of the ceremony, state media provided some additional background information, but did not reveal any specific new data. Notably, a report shared on Chinese social media stated that its displacement is “about 5,000 tons.” It is unclear whether this is standard displacement or full displacement. The media also praised the new design for its improved multi-role combat capabilities. This includes advances in command and control, signature reduction, and new integrated weapons capabilities.
New design, continuous innovation
The Type 054B is a completely new design from the keel up. However, the frigate appears to share some key features with the earlier Type 054A FFG. The new ship is about 15 meters longer than the Type 054A and about 150 meters in length. The structure has a beam that is about 17 meters wider than the old design, providing ample space for new or improved subsystems. As mentioned above, the offset should be slightly higher than the official statement. Navy News estimates the displacement to be between 5,500 and 6,000 tons, considering that the Type 054A displaces 4,500 tons fully loaded.
Notable changes compared to the earlier Type 054A include a new 100mm main gun, a new dual-sided rotating AESA radar protruding from the mainmast, and an additional rotating AESA radar, likely X-band, under the secondary mast cover.
It also carries various sensors and communications equipment. Rather than the Type 366’s surface search radar, the Type 054B destroyer is fitted with a main gun fire control radar above the bridge. The new fuselage was initially designed to accommodate the larger Z-20 helicopters instead of the Type 054A’s older, lighter Z-9 helicopters.
Photos show, from left to right, the new main gun and vertical launch system, the dual AESA radar and YJ-83 AShM, the secondary mast and CODAD thrusters. Via Chinese social media.
However, the type shares some key features with its predecessor. These include a 32-cell H/AKJ-16 vertical launch system and eight YJ-83 anti-ship missiles in a tilt-rotor surface launcher amidships. Most notably, the new ship shares the CODAD propulsion plant with the Type 054A. Some of the similarities may be superficial. For example, the propulsion system may feature new engines with higher output to handle the increased displacement.
Likewise, it is possible that the Type 054B could carry an improved version of the Type 054A’s HQ-16 medium-range surface-to-air missile. This change could be compatible with a new sensor configuration, possibly including missiles capable of active radar guidance. This move could significantly extend the engagement range. However, any specifications remain speculative until more images reveal more details about its configuration.
The transition from the 054A is unclear.
As Naval News previously reported, the Type 054B submarines will likely replace the Type 054A submarines in service with the Chinese Navy. When this transition will occur is less clear. It is worth noting that the improved Type 054A (sometimes referred to as the Type 054AG) is still in active production at the Chinese Navy’s main frigate producers Hudong and Huangpu.
The 054AG shares some interesting similarities with the 054B. For the final batch, this includes a new 100mm main gun and an extended flight deck, which includes a larger hangar for launching the Z-20. The design also includes a revision to the sensor configuration, eliminating the old MR-90 illumination radar in favor of a fixed AESA panel on the upper fuselage.
The production of Type 054A submarines has exceeded 40, divided into several versions and continuously improved. It is worth noting that Type 054A is a follow-up model of Type 054, of which only two are used by the PLA Navy and lack a vertical launch system (VLS).
Therefore, it is also possible that the Type 054B submarines will adopt an incremental development approach. Only after the Chinese Navy has tested the first two frigates and studied possible improvements or modifications to the design, can the construction of the remaining hulls begin. At the same time, according to the Chinese Navy’s plan, the additional Type 054AG submarines will expand the fleet size and eliminate older submarines.
