General Facts

TYPE
Frigate

ORIGIN
China

NICKNAMES
Jiangkai II class (NATO reporting name)
Xuzhou class (lead ship)

DESIGNED
Mid 2000's

DESIGNER
Unknown

PRODUCTION
2006 - 2015 (planned)

PRODUCERS
China - Huangpu shipyard
China - Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard

QUANTITY
20 ships ordered, 17 complete

UNIT COST
1.6 billion Yuan

CHARACTERISTICS
Multi-purpose armament suite
Stealth signature
Good sensors and data system
Lower speed than gas powered frigates

Introduction

The Type-054A is a modern class of frigates of Chinese origin. These multipurpose frigates are a further development of the Type-054 class. The same hull is used, but weapons and sensors are significantly improved. The Type-054A is the most numerous surface combattant in the Chinese navy.

Layout

The Type-054A has a conventional layout and looks somewhat similar to the French La Fayette class. The main gun and VLS are mounted on the bow. The mast and anti-ship missiles are mounted behind the main superstructure. Propulsionsystem and funnel are in the middle. A hanger and helicopter deck are mounted at the rear.

Firepower

The main armament is a 32 round VLS for the HQ-16 mediumg range surface to air missile and ASW rcokets. Surface targets are engaged using the subsonic YJ-83 anti-ship missile or dual purpose 76mm H/PJ26 main gun. Submarines are target with Type 87 ASW rocket launchers, Yu-7 lightweight torpedoes and the Ka-28PL helicopter. Two 30mm Type 730 CIWS and decoys are used for self protection.

Sensors

The main sensors are the Type 382 3D air surach radar and Type 344 surface search radar. Submarines are detected using the MGK-335 active/passive sonar system. Additional systems include a combat data system, fire control radars, navigation radar, SATCOM and a datalink.

Mobility

The Type-054A uses CODAD propulsion using four Shaanxi diesel engines. Maximum speed is about 27 knots. At economic speed the maximum range is about 4.000 nm.

Users

The Type-054A is used only by China. It was ordered in massive numbers, 20 units will make up the mainstay of the Chinese fleet. The first units entered service in 2008 and the last will probably enter service in 2015.

Type-054A

The Type-054A frigate is a modern looking frigate due to its vertical launch system on the bow and stealth signature. It has a similar layout as the French La Fayette class. It is also known under the NATO reporting name Jiangkai II.

The easiest way to distinguish the Type-054A from the older Type -054 is the VLS on the bow instead of the octuple HQ-7 launcher. Otherwise both ships look rather similar, although they differ significantly in armament and sensors. From the sixth ship onward improvements have been incorporated into the Type-054A design.

Specifications:
Type-054A

Type	Frigate
Crew	165
Size	134.1 m long 16 m wide 5 m draft
Displacement	3.600 t standard 4.050 t full load
Propulsion	CODAD with 4 diesels and 2 shafts 4x Shaanxi 16 PA6 STC diesel with 7.600 hp each

Mobility	27 kt max speed 3.800 nm range at 18 kt
Sensors	1x Type 382 3D air and surface search 1x Type 344 OTH surface search 4x Type 345 fire control for HQ-16 1x Type 347G fire control for 76mm 1x MGK-335 active/passive sonar 2x Racal RM-1290 nagivation radar
Systems	ZKJ-4B/6 combat data system HN-900 data link 2x Type 726-4 18-tube decoy launcher SNTI-240 SATCOM AKD5000S SATCOM Type 922-1 radar warning receiver HZ-100 ECM & ELINT system Kashtan-3 missile jamming system
Guns	1x 76mm H/PJ26 dual purpose 2x 30mm Type 730 CIWS
SSM	2x4 YJ-83

SAM	1x 32 cell VLS for HQ-16
ASW	2x6 240mm Type 87 ASW rocket 2x3 324mm torpedo tube for Yu-7 Standoff ASW rockets from VLS
Remarks	1x Ka-28PL or Z-9C helicopter