On the ASW capabilities of the PLAN, one thing that is somewhat perplexing is the complete lack of certain ASW weaponry on ships that really could use them.
I am talking about the Type 87 ASW/ hedgehog/RBU series style ASROC on the Type 56s. Given the role of the ship, one might have expected it to be equipped with a proven weapon system that can also double as a anti torpedo CIWS if need to. And its not like the system has been phased out considering that it is mounted on ironically larger ships like the Type 54A, ships that are not expected to be the first choice for sub hunting.
Lower cost production won't make much sense in this case to deprive the ships of a effective weapon system which cost less than a light weight torpedo. Seems like a rather huge oversight.
Where would you put them?
Ship design is all about choices and compromise. Going overboard with adding every weapon you can cram onto a ship is a compromised in itself. Just ask the Israelis.
056s are not meant as loan wolves, they are supposed to operate as part of a fleet.
In that context, any sub commander who attacks an 056s has just given away his position for the rest of the PLAN fleet to engage.
The PLAN would quite happily trade 1 or 2 056s for an enemy SSN or SSK, whereas no sub commander would be happy to make the reverse trade.
There is also the question of range and effectiveness.
The Type87 has a short effective range, and its effectiveness against subs is questionable, especially in deeper water. In modern warfare, their best use would be as hard kill countermeasures against incoming torpedos.
054As have Type 87s more to defend themselves and heavier ships from enemy torpedos than to hit enemy subs with. That is their main role as the middle layer of a PLAN fleets ASW screen.
The 056, as the other layer, would be more interested in killing the enemy subs.
Their primary defence against enemy torpedos would be their lowly status, and their own offensive weapons, in that any sub that launches a torpedo at an 056 would also itself be within range of the 056’s torpedos.
If they had spare deck space and displacement, sure, adding some Type 87s would be great, but if the choice is between having Type 87s or having to switch to a peashooter for a main gun, well that makes the 87 far less attractive for the reasons listed above.
