056 class FFL/corvette
- Thread starter dingyibvs
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asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
Why make too many 056? Isn't it enough already if their role are just for patrolling the LCS and doing ASW mission? Or they intent to use 056 as their backbone of the navy?
They're replacing a whole lot of former gunboat patrol ships like the 037 class and all its variants, and there were a significant number of those ships to replace.
056 will also likely conduct general green water ASW missions, and considering the quality of the submarine opposition that the Navy may be facing, the number of 056s they have in service right now (26ish), probably is not seen as enough, especially when only a fraction of the number in service right now are the 056A ASW oriented variant.
I personally can envision up to 60 056s being built commissioned in total, of which at least a third or maybe even a half should be the 056A ASW variant. That unfortunately is due to the reality of the quality and quantity of underwater foes that the Chinese Navy faces in its immediate periphery.
The PRC has a huge, long coast that needs relatively smaller vessels to patrol.
The Type 037 and other older vessels have typically done this and the Chinese had a LOT more of them.
These are newer and more effective so they will not need 150 of them, but they will certainly need a lot of them. Perhaps as many as 70 or 75.
These types of patrols do not require large frigates or destroyers, the PLAN needs a lot of those to patrol further off shore, and particularly to protect sea lanes and lines of communication across to the seas to the areas of the world where China has interests.
So, no, the Type 056 will not be the most of their navy, but they will need a lot of these smaller, yet effective modern vessels to patrol closer into shore, or around islands in the SCS directly unless heavier forces are needed.
No... should still be around 26 in service.
I'm not sure what Asif means when he said "over 40 now"... maybe he meant 40 056 ships launched in total (which would include some of the export variants and coast guard variants)
The chinese language wikipedia page actually has a good table listing all the identified 056s in chronological order, and is updated quite consistently
Looks like a total of 33 launched, 7 of those outfitting, with, as said, 26 in service.
Blackstone
Brigadier
We'll probably see more builds, maybe up to 50 or 60 ships?
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