China Launches Improved Type 054AG Frigate, More Hulls Coming

Chinese contractors Huangpu-Wenchong and Hudong-Zhonghua are both participated in building of a boosted version of the venerable Type 054A The brand-new frigate informally brings the classification Kind 054AG (with G keeping in mind “enhanced” or “updated” in strategy classification). Currently Huangpu Shipyard based in Guangzhou has actually introduced the very first Kind 054AG, most likely around the start of August.

At The Same Time Hudong in Shanghai proceeds building of at the very least 2 even more Kind 054AG in a brand-new big drydock on Changxing Island. The center is remarkable for additionally putting together the new Type 076 amphibious assault carrier furnished with an electro-magnetic catapult. Additionally the exact same drydock simultaneously with both frigates and LHD is creating one Kind 054A-variant for the Chinese Coastline Guard. In one of the most current images of Hudong extra hull sections for additional frigates have actually additionally shown up at the center. Whether these are additional Kind 054AG or even more shore guard hulls is yet to be developed.

Larger trip deck, brand-new major weapon.

The very first Kind 054AG gone for Huangpu showed up in brand-new images on social networks over the previous week. The images permit additional monitorings on its altered attributes contrasted to the coming before Kind 054A. One of the most remarkable element is the extended trip deck and broadened garage area.

This adjustment appears like efforts also on the Type 052D multirole destroyer, causing the more recent variation described as 052DL. In both instances the modification fits the brand-new Z-20 ASW- and multirole marine helicopter. This S-70-derived tool helicopter remains in the beginning of signing up with solution with strategy. Z-20 is additionally in manufacturing for the PLA Ground Pressure, Flying force and armed forces cops (PAP). The marine versions of Z-20 are the Z-20F anti-submarine variation and the Z-20J marine energy helicopter. The kind will successfully change Z-9 collection light energy- and ASW-helicopters along with Russian Ka-27/ 28 helicopters in PLAN-service.

In order to suit the bigger garage, Kind 054AG relocates the bays real estate RHIBs on both sides of the superstructure onward best beside the channel for the ship’s CODAD major propulsion.

A 2nd significant modification is combination of what seems a brand-new version of the H/PJ -87 100 mm major weapon on the bow. The brand-new major weapon changes the H/PJ -26 76 mm weapon on existing Kind 054A. The modification is a return of types to the setup discovered on the very first 2 Kind 054-frigates, which additionally made use of an older setup of the H/PJ -87, along with some older strategy destroyers. This return of the 100 mm-gun on both Kind 054AG and Kind 054B recommends programmers have actually dealt with reported efficiency concerns on the style, with broader adaption currently basically.

Brand-new style most likely to keep sensing unit and tools fit

Kind 054AG like coming before Kind 054-evolutions remains to lug a Kind 382 3D double band air search radar or a version of the kind on the major pole, and a Kind 366 X-band radar on the bridge. This arrangement contrasts with Type 054B carrying a new dual sided AESA as its key sensing unit on the pole over the bridge. The surface area search radar on the pole amidships is still missing on one of the most current photos. It might be the Kind 364 C-band radar, or conversely a brand-new style, maybe similar to the radar carried by the newest 052DL-variant. Like the coming before building set of the Kind 054A the AG-variant manage without the mechanically guided Kind 345 fire control radar, rather real estate the emitters in taken care of panels on the garage sides and over the bridge.

In regards to weaponry the alternative keeps the 32 cell VLS for HQ-16 SAM and Yu-8 ASW rockets. The ships remains to include 2 H/PJ -12 30 mm CIWS. Comparable to Kind 054B, the brand-new version will likely install 2 quadruple box launchers for YJ-83 antiship rockets amidships.

Both Hudong and Huangpu have actually formerly introduced one hull each of the freshly developed Kind 054B frigate. Past the preliminary set a lot more hulls have yet to show up at either backyard. The building of Kind 054AG in bigger numbers, including several of the attributes and enhancements seen on Kind 054B might suggest the more recent style will certainly require additional time prior to broader manufacturing. On the other hand strategy might want expansion of a tested style efficient in fielding the contemporary and qualified Z-20.

It doubts the number of devices strategy means to construct to the enhanced Kind 054AG frigate criterion. Neither is it clear presently which tradition devices these ships will certainly change. Existing building of the brand-new alternative nevertheless recommends general Kind 054A-numbers for strategy are mosting likely to get to 50 hulls or even more over the following couple of years.

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