It’s reported by Chinese media that Chinese navy’s mini version of 055 destroyer – a 4,000-ton frigate – “revealed the tip of the iceberg”, which is the successor model of Type 054A frigate – Type 054B frigate. So, what are the highlights of this ship?
First, Type 054B frigate made a major change in the shape of Type 054A frigate. The shape of Type 054B frigate is closer to Type 055 destroyer, and the lines in all parts of the body are very smooth. This smooth shape will effectively reduce the radar reflection frequency of Type 054B frigate while reducing its radar reflection area. This makes Type 054B frigates easy to survive under the attack of anti-ship missiles.
Secondly, the air defense force of Type 054B frigate will be greatly enhanced. From the current situation, the number of air defense systems carried by Type 054A frigate is 36 units. Such an air defense system is not enough to support Type 054B frigate’s air defense operations at sea. Therefore, in order to improve the air defense strength of the frigate, it is necessary to increase air defense units of Type 054B frigate. The air defense units of Type 054B frigate will increase from 36 in 054A to 40. Moreover, these 40 air defense units will also break the format of the centralized deployment of Type 054A frigate air defense system. According to Chinese reports, the air defense unit of Type 054B frigate can be deployed in 20 separate positions front and rear. The effect of this deployment is more than double that of Type 054A frigate’s 36 air defense units.
Once again, Type 054B frigate might become China’s first type of frigate capable of launching cruise missiles and will inevitably become the world’s first frigate to launch cruise missiles. Since Type 054B frigate is based on the performance parameters of Type 055 destroyer, the layout of its various combat facilities will be imitated according to the characteristics of Type 055 destroyer. Type 055 destroyer’s air defense system can launch CJ-10 cruise missiles, while Type 054B frigate’s vertical launching system can launch small cruise missiles to perform long-range precision strikes on the enemy.
The above is the characteristics of Type 054B frigate. After talking about the characteristics of Type 054B frigate, let us look at the application of Type 054B frigate in combats. In the future aircraft carrier formation, Type 054B frigates will be put into battle as with Type 052D destroyer as armed guards of Chinese Navy’s Type 055 destroyers. Type 055 destroyers and Type 052D destroyers undertake air defense missions for high-threat targets in combat, while Type 054B frigates assume defense missions against common air targets. Moreover, the cost of Type 054B frigate is relatively low, suitable for large-scale equipment of China’s naval forces, and can be used to replace Type 054A frigates.
According to anonymous Chinese analyst, the birth of Type 054B frigate will make Chinese Navy the only powerful navy in the world with stealth frigates. However, the US Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates have all retired and has no new frigates to replace them. Therefore, Type 054B frigate is a stealth frigate completely unfamiliar to the US Navy.
