Intel On China's "Blue Water Workhorse" In The Red Sea
2,048The PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy) Type 054A frigate is a class of multi-role frigates that serve as key surface combatants in the Chinese Navy. They are designed to fulfill a variety of maritime duties, including anti-ship, anti-submarine, and air defense missions. Here's a technical overview of the Type 054A frigate:
General Characteristics
Displacement: Approximately 4,000 tons full load.
Length: About 134 meters (440 feet).
Beam: 16 meters (52 feet).
Draft: Approximately 5 meters (16 feet).
Speed: Capable of reaching speeds up to 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph).
Range: Able to operate at a range of about 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).
Crew: Accommodations for 165-190 personnel.
Propulsion
The Type 054A is powered by a Combined Diesel And Diesel (CODAD) arrangement, featuring four SEMT Pielstick diesel engines that drive two shafts, providing a balanced mix of speed and endurance.
Armament
Main Gun: A single 76mm gun mounted on the foredeck, capable of engaging surface, air, and shore targets.
Anti-Ship Missiles: Equipped with 8x C-803 anti-ship cruise missiles.
Air Defense: Features a 32-cell vertical launching system (VLS) that can launch the HQ-16 medium-range surface-to-air missile.
Anti-Submarine Warfare: Armed with 6x torpedo tubes and 2x triple 324mm anti-submarine warfare torpedo launchers. Additionally, it can deploy anti-submarine rockets and has a flight deck and hangar to accommodate a medium-sized helicopter, enhancing its ASW capabilities.
Close-In Weapon System (CIWS): For point defense against incoming threats, it is equipped with at least one Type 730 CIWS and may also include decoy/chaff launchers for soft-kill defense.
Electronics and Sensors
Radar: The Type 054A is fitted with an advanced phased array radar system for air search, surface search, and fire control. This includes the Type 382 Radar (air search 3D phased array radar) and other multifunctional radars.
Sonar: Equipped with bow-mounted and towed array sonar systems for anti-submarine warfare.
Electronic Warfare: Features a comprehensive electronic warfare suite, including jammers and decoy launchers to enhance survivability against missile attacks.
Aviation Facilities
The frigate includes a stern flight deck and hangar capable of accommodating a single medium-lift helicopter, primarily used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) missions.
Operational Role
The Type 054A frigates are integral to the PLAN's modernization efforts, providing a capable platform for defending China's maritime interests and enhancing its blue-water navy aspirations. Their versatility allows them to be deployed in a wide range of naval operations, from peacetime presence missions to high-intensity conflicts.
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