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Chinese Type-054A Frigate compared
Chinese Type-054A Frigate compared
The modern Chinese navy is fast catching up for lost years when it was generally regarded as backwards and impotent. Among the modern warships being produced are the Type-054A multirole frigates. At first glance these are arguably the best all-round frigates in East-Asia.
To test that idea I’ve conducted a very quick and dirty comparison between the Type-054A and the other obvious contenders representing Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia. I chose the ships that closest equated to the GP frigate role whilst also being the most modern (in this classification) of their country’s warships. The contenders:
Formidable class, Singapore
Very modern French designed stealth frigates
Takanami class, Japan
Japan doesn’t the frigate classification but the closest fit is the Takanami class destroyer. It is however much bigger than the others in this comparison.
Gwanggaeto the Great Class, South Korea
Aka KDX1, this class is not as modern or as capable as the KDX-II and KDX-III classes but is closest to a frigate description although classified as a Destroyer by ROKN.
Upgraded Cheng Kung class, Taiwan
Closely derived from the US Oliver Hazard Perry class, these ships have additional AAA and a much more powerful anti-ship fit.
Upgraded Adelaide class, Australia
Another OHP type, the Australian frigates have gone through a significant weapons upgrade.
The comparison….
SAMs
http://dc185.*******.com/img/oouYCEDH/0.4303049194401999/frigatecomp1samci8.png
This is a difficult one. On the one hand the Formidible’s Aster-15 missile with it’s active guidance is almost certainly the most advanced, but Adelaide’s mix of long ranged SM-2 and a potential 32 ESSM definitely wins the longer ranged battle and the quantity game (although conceptually Takanami could carry a whopping 128 ESSMs quad-packed into the VLS). I’d go for Adelaide as winner but it’s not an outright win by any means
CIWS
http://dc185.*******.com/img/sdDJKSzd/0.7384784626280911/frigatecomp1ciwslp7.png
The Korean ship is the natural winner here with two 30mm Goalkeepers giving a full 360 degree coverage against sea-skimming missiles. Takanami also has 360 degree coverage but with the less potent Phalanx. The Chinese Type-54A has good coverage with the potentially excellent Type-730s plus a DP gun forward but has a nagging blind spot at the rear that keeps it from top place. Formidable appears the weakest and in purely CIWS that is true, but I think the Singaporeans are placing their faith in the awesome Aster-15 anti-missile missiles.
Conceptually CIWS coverage could be improved on the warships with OTO-Melara 76mm guns by the purchase of guided and advanced fused AAA rounds but there are no reports of the Australian, Taiwanese or Singaporean governments doing so (?)
Anti-Ship
This is going to be a surprising result for many. With its mix of Hsiung-Feng III supersonic long range missiles and Hsiung-Feng II long range dual-guidance subsonic missiles the Taiwanese Cheng Kung class is the clear leader.
Anti-Submarine
http://dc185.*******.com/img/_nwc1EHN/0.45525182011565557/frigatecomp1aswkk3.png
The much larger “ASW Destroyer” Takanami class has the distinct advantage in this aspect, carrying ASROC missiles and a very advanced sonar fit.
Chinese Type-054A Frigate compared
The modern Chinese navy is fast catching up for lost years when it was generally regarded as backwards and impotent. Among the modern warships being produced are the Type-054A multirole frigates. At first glance these are arguably the best all-round frigates in East-Asia.
To test that idea I’ve conducted a very quick and dirty comparison between the Type-054A and the other obvious contenders representing Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia. I chose the ships that closest equated to the GP frigate role whilst also being the most modern (in this classification) of their country’s warships. The contenders:
Formidable class, Singapore
Very modern French designed stealth frigates
Takanami class, Japan
Japan doesn’t the frigate classification but the closest fit is the Takanami class destroyer. It is however much bigger than the others in this comparison.
Gwanggaeto the Great Class, South Korea
Aka KDX1, this class is not as modern or as capable as the KDX-II and KDX-III classes but is closest to a frigate description although classified as a Destroyer by ROKN.
Upgraded Cheng Kung class, Taiwan
Closely derived from the US Oliver Hazard Perry class, these ships have additional AAA and a much more powerful anti-ship fit.
Upgraded Adelaide class, Australia
Another OHP type, the Australian frigates have gone through a significant weapons upgrade.
The comparison….
SAMs
http://dc185.*******.com/img/oouYCEDH/0.4303049194401999/frigatecomp1samci8.png
This is a difficult one. On the one hand the Formidible’s Aster-15 missile with it’s active guidance is almost certainly the most advanced, but Adelaide’s mix of long ranged SM-2 and a potential 32 ESSM definitely wins the longer ranged battle and the quantity game (although conceptually Takanami could carry a whopping 128 ESSMs quad-packed into the VLS). I’d go for Adelaide as winner but it’s not an outright win by any means
CIWS
http://dc185.*******.com/img/sdDJKSzd/0.7384784626280911/frigatecomp1ciwslp7.png
The Korean ship is the natural winner here with two 30mm Goalkeepers giving a full 360 degree coverage against sea-skimming missiles. Takanami also has 360 degree coverage but with the less potent Phalanx. The Chinese Type-54A has good coverage with the potentially excellent Type-730s plus a DP gun forward but has a nagging blind spot at the rear that keeps it from top place. Formidable appears the weakest and in purely CIWS that is true, but I think the Singaporeans are placing their faith in the awesome Aster-15 anti-missile missiles.
Conceptually CIWS coverage could be improved on the warships with OTO-Melara 76mm guns by the purchase of guided and advanced fused AAA rounds but there are no reports of the Australian, Taiwanese or Singaporean governments doing so (?)
Anti-Ship
This is going to be a surprising result for many. With its mix of Hsiung-Feng III supersonic long range missiles and Hsiung-Feng II long range dual-guidance subsonic missiles the Taiwanese Cheng Kung class is the clear leader.
Anti-Submarine
http://dc185.*******.com/img/_nwc1EHN/0.45525182011565557/frigatecomp1aswkk3.png
The much larger “ASW Destroyer” Takanami class has the distinct advantage in this aspect, carrying ASROC missiles and a very advanced sonar fit.
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