054/A FFG Thread II
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
Londo Molari
Junior Member
The front of the ship... it looks like original Type 054 with sharp lines, rather than the curved hull of the 054A. Which suggests it could have other differences from 054A too.
I think this was one of the PSed photos from an original 054A model a while back. Nothing special about it.
They got good reason to stop it for a while. If you remember, Hudong had a crane accident that killed 3 people. The crane is a huge one and this crane is used to service construction of this ship plus two or three other ships. When the giant crane crashed, fortunately it missed the 054A hull, the wreck falling right over on top of the hull like an arc, but without the crane being replaced and going online, you don't have something to lift heavy components such as the superstructure for the ship.
I just wonder why the PLAN doesn't want to mass produce the type 054A frigate at an even faster and bigger in numbers?
Though of course I understand the fact that, China is still developing more and better ships in the future. But we have to take into consideration that majority of PLAN frigates were old and outdated "The Jianghu Class Ships" which comprises the biggest bulk of about 30 of the total frigate inventory of the PLAN.
Atleast the Type 054A frigate will serve as a replacement of the Jianghu Class, so that the older and outdated frigates can be retired, scrapped, or be given to the coastguard for other missions.
While at the same time giving PLAN a good and modern fleet for any possible engagements or conflicts.
I think even a dozen more of the Type 054A frigates will already do.
Though of course I understand the fact that, China is still developing more and better ships in the future. But we have to take into consideration that majority of PLAN frigates were old and outdated "The Jianghu Class Ships" which comprises the biggest bulk of about 30 of the total frigate inventory of the PLAN.
Atleast the Type 054A frigate will serve as a replacement of the Jianghu Class, so that the older and outdated frigates can be retired, scrapped, or be given to the coastguard for other missions.
While at the same time giving PLAN a good and modern fleet for any possible engagements or conflicts.
I think even a dozen more of the Type 054A frigates will already do.
They don't want to get stuck with lots of them when the ship itself becomes obsolete. Even the 054A leaves plenty of room for design advancements. You make a small batch, then when you have a better design, make another small batch out of it, then a better design comes along, then make another small batch out of it.
I did not recommend 20-30 ships.. I only said around 12 ships will do..
I think 12 ships will not be too long to build, if you will be utilizing all of the shipyards China currently has, it will only take 1 batch to build 12 new type 054 frigates.
I am not yet even mentioning the Luda Class destroyers... I think those are also old and outdated if compared to the USS destroyers, The Horizon Class of France and Italy, the new frigate being built by Spain.