054/A FFG Thread II

[franco-russe]

No, not yet, but if you look at how they have done in the past, the two Huangpu units will probably be 576-577, and the two Hudong units 578-579.

By the way, it is no longer a planned launch: HD 10 was launched in Shanghai this morning.

 

[steve_rolfe]

Picture of 19th 054A launched from HD shipyard on the morning of the 30th Sept.

 

[A.Man]

10th 054A of Hudong, 19th of the Total

 

[steve_rolfe]

What i want to know is.....are there any other naval vessels currently being built in the other sheds at HP & HD shipyards?

 

[joshuatree]

What i want to know is.....are there any other naval vessels currently being built in the other sheds at HP & HD shipyards?

Type 056s.

 

[chuck731]

Is there any indication the 054 class will be brought up to 054A standards?

 

[no_name]

In terms of VLS, there might not be enough rooms, I think the bow section of the 054A is wider.

 

[steve_rolfe]

Is there any indication the 054 class will be brought up to 054A standards?

Yes....i have wondered that, as the HQ-7 missile system, basically a Chinese updated version of the French Crotale, is a little bit long in the tooth now....still effective, but doesnt have the same capabilities as the newer AA missiles used by the PLAN today such as the HQ-16.

The 2 054's are a bit of an oddity, as they are still relatively young, modern, stealth Frigates......but are armed with a modest AA missile system. What will the PLAN do with these ships at a mid life refit?..........if it is deemed to expensive or difficult to convert to a VLS. Mind you Chinese naval planners would of known this, when conceiving the class, knowing that the 054A was to follow shortly.

One could say why did the Chinese produce the 2 054's in the first place, knowing a superior version was to be built soon after?

 

[kwaigonegin]

Yes....i have wondered that, as the HQ-7 missile system, basically a Chinese updated version of the French Crotale, is a little bit long in the tooth now....still effective, but doesnt have the same capabilities as the newer AA missiles used by the PLAN today such as the HQ-16.

The 2 054's are a bit of an oddity, as they are still relatively young, modern, stealth Frigates......but are armed with a modest AA missile system. What will the PLAN do with these ships at a mid life refit?..........if it is deemed to expensive or difficult to convert to a VLS. Mind you Chinese naval planners would of known this, when conceiving the class, knowing that the 054A was to follow shortly.

One could say why did the Chinese produce the 2 054's in the first place, knowing a superior version was to be built soon after?

I think you just answered your own question. Also I think the 2 054s will be good addition to the Pakistan Navy. If I am PLAN I would just standardize on the 054A platform for now and sell off the 2 054s while they are still relatively modern and new.

 

[joshuatree]

Yes....i have wondered that, as the HQ-7 missile system, basically a Chinese updated version of the French Crotale, is a little bit long in the tooth now....still effective, but doesnt have the same capabilities as the newer AA missiles used by the PLAN today such as the HQ-16.

The 2 054's are a bit of an oddity, as they are still relatively young, modern, stealth Frigates......but are armed with a modest AA missile system. What will the PLAN do with these ships at a mid life refit?..........if it is deemed to expensive or difficult to convert to a VLS. Mind you Chinese naval planners would of known this, when conceiving the class, knowing that the 054A was to follow shortly.

One could say why did the Chinese produce the 2 054's in the first place, knowing a superior version was to be built soon after?

I think you just answered your own question. Also I think the 2 054s will be good addition to the Pakistan Navy. If I am PLAN I would just standardize on the 054A platform for now and sell off the 2 054s while they are still relatively modern and new.

First two 054s validated the hull design. For a while, the CN approach was to build a pair of platform X to evaluate and fine tune.

Considering the number of older ships, I think it is unwise to sell them. I rather see two more 051 Ludas bow out than the 054s just because of the older steam propulsion and lack of stealth.

Don't think the 054s fit Pakistan's plan for its Navy. They are too big for most other regional navies and they don't have the budget for additional builds. If the pair do get a mid-life refit, it be modest, maybe getting Type 730s, newer sensors. It's too much work and cost to put in a VLS for the stature of this ship, not an aircraft carrier. They will most likely serve the remainder of their service lives as second string like the 053H2Gs and 053H3s.