What you're talking about there is called a "submarine".First impression for me is that this is the PLAN’s take on the Buyan-M, but firbthewith a dual second role as fleet long range forward picket.
The heavy investment in stealth is at odds with a typical fleet picket role, as such pickets would generally need to be actively scanning, thereby loosing a lot of value from the stealth shaping investments. The PLAN’s current fielded designs are generally what one would expect for effective and efficient stealth applications for escorts. Anything more is frankly wasted due to the need for active sensor emissions and the background signatures of the rest of the fleet.
Such a heavy and total investment into stealth only makes sense if such ships are intended to operate independently or with similarly stealth focused ships. And the only mission that makes sense for such a platform/formation would be to act as highly stealthy but ultimately expendable long range LACM delivery platforms.
The point is less to be able to rain fire on the enemy with them, but more to create credible threats against infrastructure and assets in the enemy deep rear where they should be safe. The enemy would need to invest and expend vast and disproportionate amounts of resources and assets in order to safeguard their rear against such threats, thereby taking some assets and pressure off the main frontlines. Any actual damage these ships can inflict would be a welcome bonus.
I think this new FFL/corvette is ASW focused with a secondary GP role.
