It is known for certain that there will be ten 054A, but the expectation was, based on the number of SEMT-Pielstick diesels ordered for this class, that there would be a total of 12.
However, a highly interesting Chinese text posted by A. Man on 2 September (# 694) states that there will be a fourth batch of four, or a total of 16 (plus the two original Type 054). The units of the fourth batch will allegedly be modified (Type 054B?), but the report that they will have YJ-62 SSM is perhaps not very convincing.
In brief, the long text says that the fourth batch is for the 9th Destroyer Flotilla/South Sea Fleet, and will comprise 572 and 574, built by Huangpu, and 573 and 575, built by Hudong.
As for the last six units of the original 12, it reports that 548 YIYANG from Huangpu and 549 CHANGZHOU from Hudong will go to the 6th Destroyer Flotilla/East Sea Fleet, followed by 546 and 547 from Hudong. 538 YANTAI (that is the unit launched 25 August 2010) and 550 from Huangpu, will both go to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla/North Sea Fleet.
The report seems generally credible: The names YIYANG and CHANGZHOU, as well as pennant number 548 of the former, are both known.
Earlier reporting was that two units would indeed go to the North Sea Fleet, but the reported pennant numbers were 546 and 547, which will now go to the East Sea Fleet.
Thr prediction that all will be in service by 2012 seems rather optimistic. I do not really see why they would stop there, a fifth batch of four by 2015 would appear reasonable – unless they want a dedicated ASW frigate to supplement this primarily AAW type.
This is a repeat of the text, which is simple enough to make a Google Translation intelligible:
刚刚露面的054A新护第7艘548号“益阳”舰(第8艘是549号“常州”舰,与它靠在一起的是054A 的第9艘,尚未知道舷号,据说是538号“烟台”舰。
算上刚刚露面的第9艘,目前已经露面的054、054A、054A+系列新型护卫舰一共已有11艘,具体如 下:
054型2艘,分别是:
525号 马鞍山舰 服役 东海舰队
526 号 温州舰 服役 东海舰队
054A、A+型9艘,分别是:
529号 舟山舰 HD建造 服役 东海舰队
530号 徐州舰 HP建造 服役 东海舰队
538号 烟台舰 HP建造 舾装 北海舰队
548号 益阳舰 HP建造 舾装 东海舰队(见上图)
549号 常州舰 HD建造 舾装 东海舰队
568 号巢湖舰 HD建造 服役 南海舰队
569 号 玉林舰 HD建造 服役 南海舰队
570号 黄山舰 HP建造 服役 南海舰队
571号 运城舰 HP建造 服役 南海舰队
即将露面的还有3艘(未知舰名),分别是:
546号 HD建造 东海舰队
547号 HD建造 东海舰队
550号 HP建造 北海舰队
另外, 据说054A+最新追加了4艘订单(估计会有改进,反舰导弹可能改为鹰击62型 ,属于054A++型),应该装备南海舰队驱9支队,分别是:
572号 HP建造 南海舰队
573号 HD建造 南海舰队
574号 HP建造 南海舰队
575号 HD建造 南海舰队
估计最快到2012年底,中国海军至少拥有18艘054系列新型护卫舰。预测它们在三个舰队及各驱逐舰支队 服役的情况:
北海舰队:2艘
驱1支队:538、550号
东海舰队:8艘
驱3支队:525、526、529、530号
驱6支队:546、547、548、549号
南海舰队:8艘
驱2支队:568、569、570、571号
驱9支队:572、573、574、575号
另外,从571号“运城”舰的舰名看,它应该是属于北海舰队的舰名命名范畴,现在却在南海舰队服役,因此, 不排除这样的情况:待到054系列护卫舰全部建成服役后,各舰的服役部队会有调整,570、571舰可能会 转归北海舰队的驱1支队,从而形成东海舰队拥有8艘(其中两艘为054型)、南海舰队拥有6艘(其中4艘为 054系列的终极改进型)、