Sounds reasonable for a 4k ton FFG, but 054B is in a 6k ton league, where it's hull can comfortably support 64 UVLS + 8/16 AShM without suffering performance degradation. However, once again, we are discussing hypothetical possibilities, and it is now quite evident that PLAN did not pursue that path.
Firstly, the UVLS cells are actually 850mm in diameter, same as those on the 052D/DL and 055 DDGs. The UVLS is also capable of both cold-launching and hot-launching missiles, which adds to the overall complexity of the system - And thus, size and weight of the UVLS as well.
Besides, the VLS cells on the 054A and 054B FFGs are 650mm in diameter, which are actually slightly bigger than the Mark 41 VLS's 635mm-diameter cells used on the Arleigh Burke DDGs. Both the 650mm-diameter VLS on the 054A & 054B and the Mark 41 VLS are capable of hot-launch only.
Even the Constellation FFGs with 7000+ tons of (full) displacement are only equipped with 32 Mark 41 VLS cells.
In the meantime, China managed to fit 64 UVLS on the 052D/DL DDGs with ~7500 tons of (full) displacement - Only by stretching the 052 family's hull to pretty much the upper limit.
Speaking of slanted AShM canisters - We need to understand three things:
1. The 054B is a
guided missile frigate, first-and-foremost,
2. The 054Bs are to
operate in unison with other major surface combatants of the PLAN, i.e. the 052C/D general-purpose destroyers and 055 large destroyers/cruisers, and
3. The 054B
has its own roles within PLAN naval formations that the 054B will be specialized towards excelling, similar to the other two types of major surface combatants in the PLAN:
- The 054A/B FFGs are mainly responsible for ASW;
- The 052C/D DDGs are mainly responsible for AAW; and
- The 055 DDGs are mainly responsible for AAW and AShW.
To put it simply, anti-ship strike missions simply isn't a key priority for the 054B. That job is better served by the 052Ds and 055s, where both of which are actually more tailored for the job than the 054Bs ever would. The AShMs on the 054Bs are mainly for supportive roles (or even backup) to the main effort of anti-ship strike missions that are always led by and conducted by 052Ds and 055s. Hence, there is little need to have many of them onboard - Let alone presently top-of-the-line ones such as YJ-18 and YJ-21.
