054/A FFG Thread II

[antiterror13]

I said this before but I expect the whole Chinese Navy to be supersized by like 50% displacement over the next decade thanks to the new engines. The corvettes, frigates, and destroyers will all get bigger.

Was the engine the limiting factor?

 

[MwRYum]

Was the engine the limiting factor?

More like power plant option(s) by this point in time.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

According to @伏尔戈星图 on Weibo, by comparing the satellite images of the new FFG hull at Changxin's Hudong-Zhonghua drydock (left) with that of the 054A/AG (center) and 054B (right), it can be said that the new FFG hull is very likely a 054AG vis-a-vis the VLS and engine openings on the ship decks:



Or more specifically, that new FFG hull is likely to be a lengthened version of the 054AG, based on the significantly longer rail-like structure lined in the middle of the stern section (which should allow Z-20 operations from said FFG):



If the information on the lengthened variant of the 054AG is true, here's what said variant could look like when arranged side-by-side with the original 054AG. The following CGIs are made by Big Bun on Weibo.

 

[para80]

Hm if its a modified 054A for PLAN, it raises some interesting questions IMO as to the relationship with 054B. Wait and see I suppose.

 

[gelgoog]

I think there are two possibilities assuming these reports are true. Either it is an export variant (which I think is unlikely), or they decided for whatever reason (cost, capability to use existing port facilities, or whatever) to continue building smaller frigates.

 

[by78]

Close-up images of a late-batch 054A, with clear views of the new AESA panels and EO turrets (top the bridge).

@Tam

 

[5unrise]

Why are they building lengthened Type 054A frigates? I can understand why they have built upgraded 054A with the last batch, but why not just build more 054B instead of a slightly larger 054A?

 

[Tam]

Why are they building lengthened Type 054A frigates? I can understand why they have built upgraded 054A with the last batch, but why not just build more 054B instead of a slightly larger 054A?

Probably because they were already contracted long ago and components have already been ordered, delivered and stored somewhere.

 

[para80]

Its conceivable also that the 054B development/maturation timeline was always considered to be longer than what our more optimistic assumptions are based on. In that case it makes sense to bridge that time with an enlarged 054A that is capable of operating Z-20, both for PLAN, and for the yards not suffering from build rate gaps.

 

[Dante80]

It is also conceivable that 054B is not intended to replace 054A, the same way that 055 is not intended to replace 052D.
We will have to see the next five years what emerges from the yards.