type 054 frigate.
The Type 054 (NATO codename: Jiangkai Class) is the new-generation multirole missile frigate for the PLA Navy. The main contractors are the Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard and Guangzhou-based Huangpu Shipyard, both under the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). Production of the first-of-class, Ma’anshan (525), was begun in late 2002 at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard and it was launched on 11 September 2003. The ship was commissioned on 18 February 2005. The second hull Wenzhou (526) was launched on 30 November 2003 at Huangpu Shipyard and it was commissioned in 2006. Both ships are deployed by the PLA Navy East Sea Fleet.
From the third hull, the ship was built in the improved Type 054A (Jiangkai-II class) variant, featuring an 32-cell air-defence missile VLS and Russian Top Plate 3D air search radar. The third hull Xuzhou (530) was launched on 30 September 2006 and it was commissioned in late 2007. The fourth hull Zhoushan (529) was launched on 23 May 2007. The fifth and sixth hull 570 Huangshan and 568 Chaohu were launched in late 2007 and early 2008 respectively. The production is likely going to continue beyond 2010 to replace the ageing Type 053H Jianghu Class, in service since the 1970s. The vessel may also attract some interest from international customers in the developing countries.
In the News
New Type 054A Frigate Commissioned 14 July 08
The Type 054/A represents a significant improvements over previous Chinese-built frigates such as Type 053H Jianghu Class and Type 053H2G/H3 Jiangwei Class, and is approaching modern Western frigate designs in terms of size and capabilities. In particular, the vertical launch medium-range air-defence missile system onboard the Type 054A provides the ship with a fleet defence capability of over 35km range. More hulls are expected to be built to replace the obsolete frigates that were built in the 1970s/80s.
Like the French La Fayette class, the Type 054 incorporates a number of stealthy features, including the sloped side to minimise radar cross section, the radar-absorbent paint on the hull surface, and the reduced profiles of external features. The helicopter deck at the stern has a single landing spot for a medium size helicopter, such as the Russian Kamov Ka-28 Helix, or the indigenous Harbin Z-9C. The deck is fitted with the helicopter handling system. The Type 054 has a full displacement of 4,300t, and the Type 054A has a full displacement of 4,500t.
Type 054 Jiangkai-I class FFG (Chinese Internet)
Missiles
The Type 054’s primary surface strike weapon system is the YJ-83 sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missile. Two quadruple launchers are installed at the mid-ship position. The missile uses active radar-homing to deliver a 165kg warhead to a range in excess of 180km.
The initial two hulls in the Type 054 variant are equipped with an 8-cell Chinese indigenous HQ-7 (French Thales Crotale copy) short-range SAM system, with a maximum range of 13km.
On the improved Type 054A this was replaced by a 32-cell VLS developed by Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC). The exact model of the air defence missile is unknown, but some reports have suggested that it may be the 38km-range Russian 9M317 (NATO codename: SA-N-12) Shtil semi-active radar-homing medium-range SAM, or its Chinese copy reportedly designated HQ-16.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that the VLS could also launch an anti-submarine missile designated Yu-8. The missile carries an acoustic-homing torpedo, possibly developed from the Yu-7 (Mk-46 copy).
Guns
The initial two hulls are fitted with four Russian-made AK-630 six-barrel 30mm CIWS and an indigenous single-barrel 100mm main gun.
The VLS on the bow deck of Type 054A (Chinese Internet)
The Type 054A is equipped with two Chinese indigenous Type 730 seven-barrel 30mm CIWS to provide short-range air defence. The Type 730 CIWS has a maximum rate of fire of 4,600~5,800 rounds/min and a maximum range of 3,000m. The gun is controlled by the Chinese-made TR47C fire-control radar and an electro-optic director, both mounted on the roof of the gun turret. A single-barrel 76mm gun (possibly Russian AK-176 copy) is installed on the bow deck.
The ship also has two Type 87 six-tube anti-submarine rocket launchers, with 36 rockets (240mm calibre, 34kg warhead). The maximum range is 1,200m.
Sensors
The basic variant Type 054 has a Chinese indigenous sensor suite consisting of a Chinese Indigenous Type 360S 2D air/surface radar (E/F-band, max range: 150km to aircraft and 50km to sea-skimming missile); a Type 347G radar (I-band) for CIWS fire-control, a Type 344 radar (I/J-band) for main gun and anti-ship missile targeting, and a Type 345 radar (J-band) for HQ-7 SAM fire-control. The ship also has an MR-36A surface search radar operating at I-band.
The Type 054A is fitted with a sensor suite mainly based on Russian designs (Chinese Internet)
The sensors of the Type 054A Jiangkai-II class are mainly Russian designs, produced either by licensed co-production or reverse-engineering of the systems obtained along with the Project 956 Sovremenny class missile destroyers.
The air search radar is a Fregat-MAE-5 (NATO reporting name: Top Plate) 3D air search radar mounted at the top of the front mast, offering two channels in E-band. The radar can track up to 40 targets simultaneously, and has a maximum range of 120km to aircraft and 50km to sea-skimming missile.
Four MR90 (NATO reporting name: Front Dome) F-band radars (two on top of the bridge, two on the roof of the helicopter hanger) provide guidance for the air defence missiles. Originally designed to provide fire-control for the 9M317/SA-N-7 Shtil SAM, each radar can provide two channels to guide two missiles simultaneously.
A large round radome installed on top of the bridge houses the Mineral-ME (NATO reporting name: Band Stand) radar that provides anti-ship missile control and over-the-horizon radar acquisition and target designation of surface ships.
The ship has three indigenous Type 347G I-band radars, two of which are integrated with the Type 730 CIWS to provide fire-control and a standalone radar is installed on top of the bridge behind the large round radome provides fire-control for the 76mm main gun.
There is also a large round radome mounted at the top of the rear mast, possibly housing a MR36 (Type 346?) surface search radar.
Sonar
The Type 054A is reportedly fitted with a Russian MGK-335 fixed sonar suite, including Bull Horn active and Whale Tongue passive hull-mounted, medium frequency search and attack sonar. Due to limited information available, this claim cannot be confirmed.
Type 054A Jiangkai-II class hull 570 Huangshan (Chinese Internet)
Countermeasures
The ship is equipped with two 18-tube multiple rocket launchers at the mid-ship position. They are thought to be used to launch decoys/chaffs. The round radome installed on top of the helicopter hanger and few smaller round radomes are believed to house electronic warfare antennas.
Propulsion
The propulsion is a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement. The system is based on four SEMT Pielstick (now MAN Diesel SA) 16 PA6V-280 STC diesel engines, one of the most advanced diesel engine designs in Europe. A similar 12 PA6V-280 STC engine with less power is also used by the French La Fayette class frigate. China imported the 16 PA6V-280 STC diesel technology in the late 1990s and is now producing the diesel locally under license at Shaanxi Diesel Factory. Each 16 PA6V-280 engine can produce a sustained power of 4,720kW (6,330hp), giving a total power of 18,880kW (25,320hp).
