Any idea what is that opening for? Doesn't look like it's for RHIBs since those are just behind the highlighted opening.So, this is going to be covered by moving plate. I think I've seen such setup on another ship.View attachment 121170
Don't know. Engine room ventilation perhaps. Or auxiliary air intake/exhaust.Any idea what is that opening for? Doesn't look like it's for RHIBs since those are just behind the highlighted opening.
I looked at the photo from Zhonghua Hudong shipyard in Shanghai, the type 054B is equiped with Type 1130 H/PJ-14 CIWS with radar on the left-hand side, same as those on type 054A and type 052D.The photo from HP is certainly not mirrored by looking at the Chinese character of the ship just in front of 054B, a coast guard ship with "海“. It can also be confirmed by banners in many other photos.
I don't have similar photos from Shanghai though, can't tell.
Need a satellite pic so this mystery of the midship armament (VLS or not) can be resolved. Kinda wished PLA would be a bit tad more transparent about simple things but nope.
US intel probably knows by now. Won't it be funny if they released a report on the 054B detailing stuff they think would be on it.