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China’s Type 054A Frigate Is Boosting the PLA Navy’s Combat Power.
Now that China’s latest frigate has been commissioned with the PLAN, the vessel joins around 233 other warships in the fleet.
Beijing achieved yet another naval milestone this week when the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) debuted the first of two next-generation frigates. The ceremony, which took place in Shandong province, reflects the modernization and expansion of the PLAN. According to the latest Pentagon assessment of Chinese military strength, Beijing currently possesses the largest navy across the globe. As geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea continue to mount, the addition of these newly commissioned frigates is not insignificant. The PLAN has stated that the warship will “play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness” of its forces.
A brief overview of China’s Type 054A frigate
Chinese engineers began conceptualizing a successor design to China’s Type 054A frigate in the 2010s. These guided-missile warships, heavily influenced by France’s Lafayette-class series, also host technology derived from other nations. The radar suite onboard these frigates uses technology reverse-engineered from Russian systems. Specifically, the Type 054A frigates feature the Russian Band Stand radar system. Armament-wise, these existing frigates can pack a punch. The Type 054A can carry HQ-16 medium-range surface-air missiles, which can engage targets up to a range of 50km. Additionally, the warship can fire the C-803 sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missile. While these frigates have been regularly deployed by the PLAN since their entry to service, the necessity for an advanced next-generation successor has culminated in the development of a newer class of warships.
China’s next-generation frigates have arrived
At the tail end of 2024, China’s existing frigates received their hull numbers of 545 and 555 respectively. The initial vessel commissioned will serve China’s Northern Theatre Navy (North Sea Fleet). Designated as CNS Luohe by the PLAN to honor a city in Henan province, this Type 054B has a displacement of roughly 5,000 tons. Other enhanced capabilities incorporated in the warship include advancements in stealth, operational versatility, and armaments. Perhaps the most notable add-on feature of the Type 054B frigate is its integrated mast design, similar to the one equipped on the Navy’s Type 055 destroyer. As detailed by Army Recognition, this mast improves the vessel’s radar signature reduction, minimizing the possibility of adversarial radar detection. The new frigate’s increased displacement is also a plus for the vessel’s formidability since it is able to carry a wider array of weapons and systems: “This versatility allows the frigate to perform multiple roles, including anti-air, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and even land-attack missions. Experts highlight that the expanded tonnage permits the integration of advanced missile systems, such as improved anti-ship, air-defense, and land-attack cruise missiles, enhancing the frigate’s overall combat power.”
Now that China’s latest frigate has been commissioned with the PLAN, the vessel joins around 233 other warships in the fleet. Comparably, the U.S. Navy possesses 219 warships in its fleet, including roughly fifty frigates and the same number of destroyers. As the potential for a full-blown conflict with Beijing increases, the timely introduction of the U.S. Navy’s next-gen DDG(X) destroyer should be prioritized.
National interest