054B/new generation frigate
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
antiterror13
Brigadier
Constellation is a frigate (~7,300 tons) but almost as big as type 052D (~7,500 tons) and cost almost twice 052D and 3-4 times 054B (~6,000 tons)
Knew it. Theres similar systems on South Korean and Japanese ships.
I think it's hard to compare prices with US equipment directly (AB fl.3 approaches 3 billion USD),
US economy is ultimately just overloaded with money inflows.
If we compare both ships within the same economy, they would probably be comparable in pricing. 054B is somewhat less kitted, but it is not crucial for normal missions. Constellation has more light firepower, AA mag depth, and associated fire control(absolute min fixed array setup), anti-drone main gun - but those are US optimizations, which move the ship away from "normality".
And overall, the impression it gives to me is like pre-ww2 La Galissonnière-class cruiser. Everything is just exactly right for the role, with some solid additional attention to protection. Nothing unnecessary for a top-line 2020s frigate is installed on the ship.
Broccoli
Senior Member
I find it curious that they moved away from 2x1130 design while USN is planning to increase LUCAS capabilities so they can perform saturation attacks against moving ships, etc. I’ve seen some commentators suggesting we’ll see longer range tube launched variants in near future… HQ-10 will run out missiles fast in that sorta situation.
054B is not really the 2020s design; it's the 2010s GP one. I.e. it predates current C-UAS trends, nor was it built specifically for the Gulf area(iranian small craft are effectively same threat, but smarter).
Traditional CIWS aren't that great for C-UAS mission, they're built for instantaneous pK (the highest possible volume of shells against high performance target).
C-UAS is a mission requiring endurance and the highest possible single-shot pK (accuracy). In the Black sea, there was already a case when a CIWS-equipped ship was cornered and sunk by surface drones - its defense wasn't overwhelmed, it ran out of ammo.
Broccoli
Senior Member
Could have replaced 1130 with unmanned 30 - 40mm autocannons with airburst munition.
...but that will have to be some new gun, designed to do both. With most existing weapons, you have to choose either ASCMs or C-UAS.
Satellite imagery captured on 21 March indicates that China has begun construction of a fourth Jiangkai III (Type 054B)-class guided-missile frigate for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The vessel can be seen under construction at the Hudong Changxingdao shipyard just behind the third Type 054B frigate, which was identified by Janes in a January 2026 satellite imagery analysis.
This further corroborates earlier assessments that the Type 054B frigate programme has now moved beyond initial low-rate production and into serial construction.
The vessel can be seen under construction at the Hudong Changxingdao shipyard just behind the third Type 054B frigate, which was identified by Janes in a January 2026 satellite imagery analysis.
This further corroborates earlier assessments that the Type 054B frigate programme has now moved beyond initial low-rate production and into serial construction.