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The potential Road map for PN JCF Taking a Leaf out of PLAN -
The Type 054-B Frigate 5000 Tons commissioned
Jan 2025
"The Luohe, China's first Type 054B frigate, with a hull number 545, is the first of a new generation of frigate and is an important piece of hardware in the Navy's transformational development - was commissioned in the People's Liberation Army Navy in Qingdao, Shandong province
The 5,000-ton-class warship features advancements in stealth, combat command systems and integrated firepower control. It constitute a distinct design from preceding frigate- and destroyer-types
For example, the Spanish Alvaro de Bazan-class air defense frigate, at a length of 147 meters and beam at 18.6 meters, displaces nearly 6,500 tons. In comparison, the existing Type 054/054A-design is estimated at 4,000 tons full displacement.

Regarding the stealth technology that makes the warship less visible to detection, it has radar signature reduction throughout its hull, Luck explained. One of the notable stealth features is a cover for the bow anchor, which is not seen on previous Chinese warships.
Besides the Luohe, a second Type 054B, which has a hull number "555," completed its sea trials last year, according to Luck. China is also building a modified Type 054A variant known as the Type 054AG, which has a larger flight deck to support helicopter operations.
Type 054B has a displacement of nearly 5,000 metric tons and has better capabilities than its predecessor Type 054A in all aspects. It features technological breakthroughs in stealth, combat command, firepower control and other functions, and can better conduct naval battles and other missions.

Its service will extensively bolster the naval fleet's overall operational ability, the Navy said.
Many of the most advanced technologies, including those applied on the Type 055 large destroyer, have likely been incorporated into the design of the Type 054B, Song believed

According to Alex Luck, an Australia-based naval analyst writing for specialist outlet Naval News, it is estimated that the Type 054B has 32 cell missile launchers for firing anti-air and anti-submarine weapons, in addition to eight anti-ship missile box launchers.
The H/AJK-16 is slightly lower in footprint and more importantly is is already equipped aboard over 40 surface combatants in the PLAN, the majority of which are 054A frigates. If the 054B fields the H/AJK-16, existing surface combatants with the H/AJK-16 may potentially reap the benefits of new payloads and capabilities developed for the 054B (sensors and networking contingent), thus prolonging the relevance and capability of those ships as well as offering benefits in standardization.
On the other hand, the universal VLS has greater cell cross-sectional size and is able to accommodate larger payloads, and offers standardization with the 052D and 055 destroyers.
If the 054B does utilize the H/AJK-16 VLS, as some rumors and depictions have suggested, it is likely that significant new payloads will be developed to take advantage of the 054B’s significantly more potent sensor suite compared to the 054A.
The original HHQ-16 SAMs used with the H/AJK-16 were rather conservative and low technology weapons for the time, with the original missiles stated to have effective ranges of only 40-50 kilometers (with usual missile range caveats being applied). Since that time, newer land launched HQ-16 variants have emerged with progressively longer ranges,
with the most recent HQ-16FE variant offered for export in 2022 offering a range of 150 kilometers, offering reference for the developmental path that naval HHQ-16 SAMs have likely taken as well. Given the HQ-16 missile airframe is rather sizeable (a peer to the single stage SM-2 family), it is natural that the proliferation of Chinese propellant, materials and guidance technologies will enable much improved performance in a similar missile footprint.
Another payload that the H/AJK-16 is already known to support is the Yu-8 vertically launched anti-submarine rocket weapon, as seen on 054A frigates in the past.
It is an open question whether a multi-pack medium range SAM will be developed for the H/AJK-16, as it is known that a quad-pack medium range SAM already has been developed for the universal VLS for the 052D and 055 and may be in early introduction.
seawaves.com
-------------------------------
For weaponry the VLS is the H/AKJ-16-design with 32 cells similar to 054A featuring HQ-16-type medium range surface to air- and Yu-8 ASW-missiles. Furthermore the Type 054B design features slant carriers supporting two quadruple box launchers for anti-ship missiles amidships. An exact type remains unconfirmed and YJ-83 or YJ-12 AShM are both plausible candidates. Other already confirmed armament includes the 100mm main gun, a gun CIWS, likely the Type 1130, a HQ-10 missile CIWS, and lightweight torpedo-launchers.
Currently, the Navy's frigate forces mainly consist of the Type 054A ships, which started to be deployed in 2006.
When it emerged, the 054A class was one of the PLAN’s first classes of domestic surface combatant with a vertical launch system for missiles, and equipped with a capable sensor, weapons, and combat management suite. It was the first surface combatant with those features that entered mass production in the modern era. However, many of the 054A’s key subsystems were far from cutting edge for the Chinese military industry at the time (let alone globally), with its radar, propulsion, and weapons systems being relatively conservative, and derived from relatively mature and known systems rather than utilizing the most leading-edge technology available. This was reasonable, as the 054A was intended as a cost-effective but capable warship, and the Chinese industry needed time to further advance and consolidate key technologies and mitigate risks

Xiao Liang, a senior hardware researcher in the nation's shipbuilding industry, said that the Type 054B is the largest class of frigate the Navy has ever used, and is almost as large as some of China's older destroyers.
"Its large size allows it to carry more munitions and fuel, and also gives it greater potential for future upgrades. Its propulsion system enables it to sail farther than other Chinese frigates. Another remarkable feature is the new radar system, which, without exaggeration, makes previous radars of its kind look like antiques," he said.

"Compared with previous frigate models in China, which were primarily tasked with anti-submarine operations, the Type 054B is also capable of performing fleet air-defense missions."
Meanwhile, the larger air-service zone allows the new frigate to accommodate a bigger helicopter, such as the Z-20, which will enhance the ship's ability to detect, track, and engage hostile submarines, Xiao noted.
He added that as the PLA Navy continues to extend its reach to safeguard world peace and stability and protect China’s interests, more large, advanced frigates will join the Navy.

www.navalnews.com
The Type 054-B Frigate 5000 Tons commissioned
Jan 2025
"The Luohe, China's first Type 054B frigate, with a hull number 545, is the first of a new generation of frigate and is an important piece of hardware in the Navy's transformational development - was commissioned in the People's Liberation Army Navy in Qingdao, Shandong province
The 5,000-ton-class warship features advancements in stealth, combat command systems and integrated firepower control. It constitute a distinct design from preceding frigate- and destroyer-types
For example, the Spanish Alvaro de Bazan-class air defense frigate, at a length of 147 meters and beam at 18.6 meters, displaces nearly 6,500 tons. In comparison, the existing Type 054/054A-design is estimated at 4,000 tons full displacement.

Regarding the stealth technology that makes the warship less visible to detection, it has radar signature reduction throughout its hull, Luck explained. One of the notable stealth features is a cover for the bow anchor, which is not seen on previous Chinese warships.
Besides the Luohe, a second Type 054B, which has a hull number "555," completed its sea trials last year, according to Luck. China is also building a modified Type 054A variant known as the Type 054AG, which has a larger flight deck to support helicopter operations.
Type 054B has a displacement of nearly 5,000 metric tons and has better capabilities than its predecessor Type 054A in all aspects. It features technological breakthroughs in stealth, combat command, firepower control and other functions, and can better conduct naval battles and other missions.

Its service will extensively bolster the naval fleet's overall operational ability, the Navy said.
Many of the most advanced technologies, including those applied on the Type 055 large destroyer, have likely been incorporated into the design of the Type 054B, Song believed

According to Alex Luck, an Australia-based naval analyst writing for specialist outlet Naval News, it is estimated that the Type 054B has 32 cell missile launchers for firing anti-air and anti-submarine weapons, in addition to eight anti-ship missile box launchers.
The H/AJK-16 is slightly lower in footprint and more importantly is is already equipped aboard over 40 surface combatants in the PLAN, the majority of which are 054A frigates. If the 054B fields the H/AJK-16, existing surface combatants with the H/AJK-16 may potentially reap the benefits of new payloads and capabilities developed for the 054B (sensors and networking contingent), thus prolonging the relevance and capability of those ships as well as offering benefits in standardization.
On the other hand, the universal VLS has greater cell cross-sectional size and is able to accommodate larger payloads, and offers standardization with the 052D and 055 destroyers.
If the 054B does utilize the H/AJK-16 VLS, as some rumors and depictions have suggested, it is likely that significant new payloads will be developed to take advantage of the 054B’s significantly more potent sensor suite compared to the 054A.
The original HHQ-16 SAMs used with the H/AJK-16 were rather conservative and low technology weapons for the time, with the original missiles stated to have effective ranges of only 40-50 kilometers (with usual missile range caveats being applied). Since that time, newer land launched HQ-16 variants have emerged with progressively longer ranges,
with the most recent HQ-16FE variant offered for export in 2022 offering a range of 150 kilometers, offering reference for the developmental path that naval HHQ-16 SAMs have likely taken as well. Given the HQ-16 missile airframe is rather sizeable (a peer to the single stage SM-2 family), it is natural that the proliferation of Chinese propellant, materials and guidance technologies will enable much improved performance in a similar missile footprint.
Another payload that the H/AJK-16 is already known to support is the Yu-8 vertically launched anti-submarine rocket weapon, as seen on 054A frigates in the past.
It is an open question whether a multi-pack medium range SAM will be developed for the H/AJK-16, as it is known that a quad-pack medium range SAM already has been developed for the universal VLS for the 052D and 055 and may be in early introduction.
China Launches First Type 054B Class Frigate - SeaWaves Magazine
China reportedly launched the first hull of its new-generation frigate, allegedly designated the Type 054B, in Shanghai last week, with observers expecting it to be an advanced but also cost-effective versatile vessel for far sea operations. Photos emerged on social media show that the first...
seawaves.com
-------------------------------
For weaponry the VLS is the H/AKJ-16-design with 32 cells similar to 054A featuring HQ-16-type medium range surface to air- and Yu-8 ASW-missiles. Furthermore the Type 054B design features slant carriers supporting two quadruple box launchers for anti-ship missiles amidships. An exact type remains unconfirmed and YJ-83 or YJ-12 AShM are both plausible candidates. Other already confirmed armament includes the 100mm main gun, a gun CIWS, likely the Type 1130, a HQ-10 missile CIWS, and lightweight torpedo-launchers.
Currently, the Navy's frigate forces mainly consist of the Type 054A ships, which started to be deployed in 2006.
When it emerged, the 054A class was one of the PLAN’s first classes of domestic surface combatant with a vertical launch system for missiles, and equipped with a capable sensor, weapons, and combat management suite. It was the first surface combatant with those features that entered mass production in the modern era. However, many of the 054A’s key subsystems were far from cutting edge for the Chinese military industry at the time (let alone globally), with its radar, propulsion, and weapons systems being relatively conservative, and derived from relatively mature and known systems rather than utilizing the most leading-edge technology available. This was reasonable, as the 054A was intended as a cost-effective but capable warship, and the Chinese industry needed time to further advance and consolidate key technologies and mitigate risks

Xiao Liang, a senior hardware researcher in the nation's shipbuilding industry, said that the Type 054B is the largest class of frigate the Navy has ever used, and is almost as large as some of China's older destroyers.
"Its large size allows it to carry more munitions and fuel, and also gives it greater potential for future upgrades. Its propulsion system enables it to sail farther than other Chinese frigates. Another remarkable feature is the new radar system, which, without exaggeration, makes previous radars of its kind look like antiques," he said.

"Compared with previous frigate models in China, which were primarily tasked with anti-submarine operations, the Type 054B is also capable of performing fleet air-defense missions."
Meanwhile, the larger air-service zone allows the new frigate to accommodate a bigger helicopter, such as the Z-20, which will enhance the ship's ability to detect, track, and engage hostile submarines, Xiao noted.
He added that as the PLA Navy continues to extend its reach to safeguard world peace and stability and protect China’s interests, more large, advanced frigates will join the Navy.

First Type 054B Next Gen Frigate Commissioned By Chinese Navy
The Chinese Navy today commissioned the first Type 054B new generation frigate in Qingdao. The second ship will likely follow soon.
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