Now I think it is pretty safe to say that the PLAN’s ambitions for 054B is pretty limited. The service simply wants a 054A armed with AESA radars and more efficient processors of battlefield information. Thus, the primary role of the new frigate remains short-to-medium air defense (via HHQ-16C/F) and ASB (I will be shocked if the 054B do not have towed sonars). Anti-surface warfare and land attack missions would be reserved for 055s and 052Ds. As for 054B, the only issue is how to reduce CODAD’s noice in order to maximize ASW capabilities. It is still possible that the population is combined-diesel-electric and diesel (a more advanced form of CODAD)
, which would lead to reduce noice and higher fuel efficiency.