antiterror13
Brigadier
If it is being built, it may surprise us to see it get launched by March/April 2022
054B/next generation frigate
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
If it is being built, it may surprise us to see it get launched by March/April 2022
The problem is that I don't think --- and doesn't make sense --- that two production lines could exist simultaneously with only two shipyards authorized to make them. These shipyards also have to make other ships.
Modules for 6 ships and Tam expects at least 4 to be launched if I'm reading his post correctly.
PLAN is typically quite careful with new mass-produced products.
No one Daring-class debacle to happen during naval buildup.
It may still be true. PLAN will put 054B into mass production only if the first batch (2-4?) proves to be reliable. By then they should have already finished the new batch of 054As. Don't forget, they still have one 053H1 and two 053H1Gs in service. The two 052s may retire during the next 5 years, which could also be replaced by 054A. The oldest two 053H3s (521 & 524) were supposed to be sold before the pandemic. They could go anytime as long as there's a buyer. So, 20 might not be as many as it sounds.
The PLAN was aware of the Type 054B progress when deciding to produce an additional 20 Type 054A. people are sounding as if this is a surprise to them and they need to change recently announced plans.
It makes perfect sense to continue 054A production, it matches their conservative doctrine and solid leaks indicate this clearly. there is no reason to think otherwise.
The only thing left to figure out is where, exactly, the 054Bs will be built, but both shipyards could presumably be capable of 2 frigate lines in the next few years if that is the plan.
It makes perfect sense to continue 054A production, it matches their conservative doctrine and solid leaks indicate this clearly. there is no reason to think otherwise.
The only thing left to figure out is where, exactly, the 054Bs will be built, but both shipyards could presumably be capable of 2 frigate lines in the next few years if that is the plan.
+it's worth noting, that at known tempo 20 frigates fill very well within the possible timeframe of building, testing, evaluation, and application of learned lessons to a new design.
Putting things bluntly, 20 054A don't take all that long, and 4 years is actually quite ambitious to verify a new propulsion plant.
Finally... two main potential adversaries of PLAN are now building(JMSDF, Mogami class) or initiating (USN, Constellation class) new series of frigates - big series of frigates with correspondingly big impact. Time isn't ripe for a surface combatant 3d printer to sleep.
Putting things bluntly, 20 054A don't take all that long, and 4 years is actually quite ambitious to verify a new propulsion plant.
Finally... two main potential adversaries of PLAN are now building(JMSDF, Mogami class) or initiating (USN, Constellation class) new series of frigates - big series of frigates with correspondingly big impact. Time isn't ripe for a surface combatant 3d printer to sleep.