054B/new generation frigate

wssth0306

Junior Member
Registered Member
??? You are making some assumptions out of the blue about "high urgency" which for anyone who actually follows the Navy's development would see as plainly inaccurate.

The 054A has been around for two decades and with 40 in sevice and more hulls being built for the Coast Guard what urgency do you possibly see?

Most frigate classes world-wide are built in single digits. Successful ones might go a dozen.

The 054A has had a long and successful production run in the Navy (and is still having in the CG.) The 054B is a simple progression that is faster with more room for upgrade and endurance to allow for better deployment with carrier groups which when the 054A came out was not really a requirement.
I admit that I know little about navy and made a wrong assumption about urgency.
But Isn't 20 years in service life short for a naval vessel ? Given the cost of each ship.
Am I wrong in thinking that 054B is a replacement program for 054A ? if is a replacement program then isn't it early retirement for the 054A ?
 

lcloo

Captain
I admit that I know little about navy and made a wrong assumption about urgency.
But Isn't 20 years in service life short for a naval vessel ? Given the cost of each ship.
Am I wrong in thinking that 054B is a replacement program for 054A ? if is a replacement program then isn't it early retirement for the 054A ?
1) Technology advance very much in 20 years, many know hows not achievable then are common now. A warship is full of advance technology. Example look the the handphone or computer that you used 20 years ago compare with today's.
2) 20 years is not the service life for a naval vessel of frigate size and above. 30 plus a few years is normal.
3) 054B is not replacing type 054A when the new ships are being commissioned. i.e. as type 054B are added, type 054A are not going to be retired unless older frigates have reached 30-35 years of service with PLAN.
4) There is no Early retirement of type 054A.

Example in 2028, say 12 new type 54B enter service. And only 6 type 054A have reached the retirement age. Then only 6 olders ships will be retired while 12 new ones are added.

Is China going to add more frigates than they have now? Yes, that is the expectation of many China military watchers.

WHy do they want to add more warships? Because they have to, when they are facing the serious threat from US and its allies like AUKUS, NATO, Five Eyes, Japan Australia, India etc.
 

GiantPanda

Junior Member
Registered Member
I admit that I know little about navy and made a wrong assumption about urgency.
But Isn't 20 years in service life short for a naval vessel ? Given the cost of each ship.
Am I wrong in thinking that 054B is a replacement program for 054A ? if is a replacement program then isn't it early retirement for the 054A ?
1) Technology advance very much in 20 years, many know hows not achievable then are common now. A warship is full of advance technology. Example look the the handphone or computer that you used 20 years ago compare with today's.
2) 20 years is not the service life for a naval vessel of frigate size and above. 30 plus a few years is normal.
3) 054B is not replacing type 054A when the new ships are being commissioned. i.e. as type 054B are added, type 054A are not going to be retired unless older frigates have reached 30-35 years of service with PLAN.
4) There is no Early retirement of type 054A.

Example in 2028, say 12 new type 54B enter service. And only 6 type 054A have reached the retirement age. Then only 6 olders ships will be retired while 12 new ones are added.

Is China going to add more frigates than they have now? Yes, that is the expectation of many China military watchers.

WHy do they want to add more warships? Because they have to, when they are facing the serious threat from US and its allies like AUKUS, NATO, Five Eyes, Japan Australia, India etc.

Correct, no hints of any 054A being retired for the 054B.

And again, there are new 054A hulls for the CG. Two decades is a very long production run for any program.
 

by78

General
An illustration from a paper showing the modified turret geometry from its predecessor.

53675220437_9065ac9e28_o.jpg
 

CasualObserver

Junior Member
Registered Member
The 054A has had a long and successful production run in the Navy (and is still having in the CG.) The 054B is a simple progression that is faster with more room for upgrade and endurance to allow for better deployment with carrier groups which when the 054A came out was not really a requirement.
I thought the newly built 054As were going to the Navy, are you saying that the're procuring only the 054Bs?
 

GiantPanda

Junior Member
Registered Member
I thought the newly built 054As were going to the Navy, are you saying that the're procuring only the 054Bs?

We know for certain that there are new hulls and that at least some are for the Coast Guard.

IMG_3004.jpeg

Right now, there is no clear sign that any of the post-40th hulls will be Navy though not saying there won't be but just waiting for clear pictures.
 

B.I.B.

Captain
1) Technology advance very much in 20 years, many know hows not achievable then are common now. A warship is full of advance technology. Example look the the handphone or computer that you used 20 years ago compare with today's.
2) 20 years is not the service life for a naval vessel of frigate size and above. 30 plus a few years is normal.
3) 054B is not replacing type 054A when the new ships are being commissioned. i.e. as type 054B are added, type 054A are not going to be retired unless older frigates have reached 30-35 years of service with PLAN.
4) There is no Early retirement of type 054A.

Example in 2028, say 12 new type 54B enter service. And only 6 type 054A have reached the retirement age. Then only 6 olders ships will be retired while 12 new ones are added.

Is China going to add more frigates than they have now? Yes, that is the expectation of many China military watchers.

WHy do they want to add more warships? Because they have to, when they are facing the serious threat from US and its allies like AUKUS, NATO, Five Eyes, Japan Australia, India etc.
Ive heard it suggested that there are only two types of boats in naval warfare, Subs and targets.
 

GiantPanda

Junior Member
Registered Member
Ive heard it suggested that there are only two types of boats in naval warfare, Subs and targets.

Subs are practically useless unless you actually go to war. Their silent presence in disputed waters are simply ignored in peacetime by encroaching civilian traffic from opposing states. Out of sight, out of mind.

Surface ships establish presence and sovereignty on bodies of water.

China builds an overwhelming navy and coast guard for this reason. Its waters are in dispute. Unless subs are actively torpedoing fishing trawlers and container ships, they can't help you in peacetime.
 

wssth0306

Junior Member
Registered Member
Subs are practically useless unless you actually go to war. Their silent presence in disputed waters are simply ignored in peacetime by encroaching civilian traffic from opposing states. Out of sight, out of mind.

Surface ships establish presence and sovereignty on bodies of water.

China builds an overwhelming navy and coast guard for this reason. Its waters are in dispute. Unless subs are actively torpedoing fishing trawlers and container ships, they can't help you in peacetime.
So correct me if I am wrong
Is the main role frigate for PLAN is to establish sovereignty ? Meaning the frigates are not typically employed as part of a carrier group ?
 
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