054B/next generation frigate

[pevade]

No, and no.

We probably won't know until the ship is nearly complete with good quality pictures needed to confirm if the VLS is UVLS or not.

You know what this forum needs? Some kind of wiki that members can update with information that has been gathered

 

[Cloud_Nine_]

Of all the ships coming down the pipeline, I'm actually the most excited about this one.

It is, after 055, the first major "new" ship. I feel ya.

 

[TK3600]

054B will be the most important escort ship in the navy replacing role of 054A as backbone of the fleet.

 

[snake65]

054B will be the most important escort ship in the navy replacing role of 054A as backbone of the fleet.

Isn't 052C/D rather the backbone of the fleet at the moment? I see 055 as the future backbone and 054B playing the role of future low-end supplement to 055.

 

[TK3600]

054B size is closer to 052D than 054A. It will be like 052D but cost effective, while 055 stay as high end. No sign of 052D sized replacement yet. We will likely see 052D batch to drop once 054B are in full production. That is like couple years.

 

[kentchang]

054B size is closer to 052D than 054A. It will be like 052D but cost effective, while 055 stay as high end. No sign of 052D sized replacement yet. We will likely see 052D batch to drop once 054B are in full production. That is like couple years.

In any formation, a 054 ship will always be subordinate to a 052 ship. I may have ten thousand nails and one old worn-out hammer. Who do you think is in charge?

 

[TK3600]

In any formation, a 054 ship will always be subordinate to a 052 ship. I may have ten thousand nails and one old worn-out hammer. Who do you think is in charge?

The backbone of the navy would be a ship that is numerous and make up the bulk in overall tonnage/capability. Who command who is irrelevant. Liaoning carrier is in charge of 052D in its escort but nobody refer Liaoning as the backbone.

 

[Tam]

Isn't 052C/D rather the backbone of the fleet at the moment? I see 055 as the future backbone and 054B playing the role of future low-end supplement to 055.

Destroyers might be the backbone but frigates like the 054A are the workhorses of the fleet.

 

[BoraTas]

Can anyone explain me why PLAN has one helo per ship? Does it have anything to do with relatively low ratio of helicopters to ships? Helos are notorious for low availability and facilities for a second helo doesn't double aviation facilities.

 

[H2O]

Can anyone explain me why PLAN has one helo per ship? Does it have anything to do with relatively low ratio of helicopters to ships? Helos are notorious for low availability and facilities for a second helo doesn't double aviation facilities.

I'm going to guess that the PLA-N believes drones are more economical than to have another helo onboard. And they probably don't envision many missions (if any) involving a single frigate outside of a battle group.