Let me fix that, bottom line is you’re an idiot who doesn’t know the first thing about any of this technology and seems to think I’m anti-Chinese. There, much better.
HQ-16C is unfortunately not in service yet (the improved Army version is HQ-16B, while according to some sources HQ-16C will be the improved naval one). There were rumors/news of a test a couple of years back and It was reported to be in development by some reputable sources, but I don’t have anything concrete to show me that it’s in service.
HQ-16A is still used on all PLAN ships that use the type, keep in mind I’m not calling HQ-16 bad, I’m calling it old, everything gets outdated in the military tech world, obviously China will make a new version which is among the best in class, as HQ-16 was when it was new.
For PLAN not having HQ-16C yet isn’t a big deal given their air defense is so layered as you mentioned, to them 054As with Hq-16s are just support ships. They have been focusing their money and development where it matters, on HQ-9 and the destroyers it’s mounted on. If PLAN does see a future for its frigates (as some think they do, and some think they don’t) and 054B is to be a reality, we will almost definitely see china use HQ-16C on it, as well as several other upgrades like it’s radars and ECM (two things PN does seem to have focused on particularly).
Thank you, someone gets it. This is the sad part about this forum, the moment you say something coming out of China isn’t the best technology ever you’re hounded by both Chinese bots and Pakistani fanboys who think China can do no wrong and makes the best of everything, of course such people are a minority but they make both the good and well informed Chinese members as well as the Pakistani ones look bad.
It’s funny how many people think me and some others (Akh112 comes to mind) are anti-Chinese just because we point out the flaws in Chinese equipment, I’d do the exact same with stuff coming out of any country, and I’ve often praised Chinese technology. But eh, I’m tired of fighting my way through the crowds.