Lethe
Captain
mmm, don't really see why. Recall that the Type 056 is itself based on an older export-oriented design. In terms of technology, operational requirements, and budgetary constraints I see 056 as of a kind with 054 and 052C/D, rather than a long-term, 21st century solution as with 055 & 057.
As China's blue water capabilities, requirements, and taskings continue to increase, it will want a larger and more capable -- yet still affordable -- low-end unit to take over littoral taskings. My general concept is of a smaller LCS-type vessel in the range of 2000-2500 tons, without the range and 40kn+ speed requirement of those vessels. As well as improved range, endurance, and seakeeping qualities, major improvements over the existing 056 would be a full hanger facility to house 1x ASW helicopter, and modest increase in VLS cells, principally to house medium-range anti-submarine munitions such as CY-5. If possible, top speed would be increased to 30-32kn, also mostly to improve performance in the anti-submarine role.
The suggestion was that any such 730/1130 switch on the 054s would be made as part of a larger MLU which will of course take place at some point and in some form anyway. Such an MLU would probably occur from early to late 2020s and therefore would probably match up well with production of a successor to 056, to which the old 730 units could be fitted if appropriate. Of course as you note there are other possible venues for older 730 units.
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