056 class FFL/corvette

pendragon said:

I should say that according to the the thips size, number in production run, multi-functional design, and the first batch apparently designated for HK the 056 serie could wel be meant to equip a new single naval paramilitary branch, regrouping existing separate branches (coastguard, Marine surveillance, Fisheries Law Enforcement, ... ) as voiced by some concerned top brass and politicians.

If so, the heavy armament might then be used as an argument to place the new unit under direct PLA supervision.

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Nah, 056 is way overarmed for coast guard mission profile, they're meant to be present when using 054A frigate is overkill or where the water is too shallow for the frigates to operate safely - and the disputed SCS regions is filled with such areas. They're meant to back the law enforcement when the other side start to commit naval assets into the mess.

As for the consolidation of the law enforcement agencies under a single umbrella establishment, don't expect anytime soon, any changes would only be after the transition of leadership at the end of this year, if they actually decided to do so that is.

no_name said:

If you take away the anti-ship missile launchers, the type 056 can be used as a coastguard ship. During peace time it could be under Chinese coastguards. During war time the command could be under PLAN and the anti-ship munitions attached.

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I think that's not a feasible idea. For one thing, the naval vessel is in naval paint with a hull number painted on. To have it switch roles between naval vessel and coastguard vessel without changing color and pennant would be real confusing and can create potential international incidents based on misunderstandings.

Perhaps newer build 056 hulls without certain armament and with them painted in CG white can go straight to CG fleets. But that's assuming the 056 hull is better suited than the current list of vessels being built for the various maritime agencies.

hmmwv said:

There will be four assigned to the HK garrison, but only two will be stationed at Stonecutters Island, two will be stationed at the support base in Shekou. Following ships probably will be assigned to SSF to support currently deployed ships in the SCS patrol ship squadron.

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So is basing in Stonecutters Island considered an active tour of duty? Or rather home port? If it's the latter, do vessels assigned here ever go out to sea on missions, ie SCS patrols?

One of the better shots I've seen of 056's back. You can see the work done to the funnel. At the same time, you can count up the number of missiles in the HQ-10 launcher and the little platform for its FCR. You can also see the "hangar door" open showing torpedo launchers inside. The two "torpedo rooms" seem to be separated in the middle.

tphuang said:

One of the better shots I've seen of 056's back. You can see the work done to the funnel. At the same time, you can count up the number of missiles in the HQ-10 launcher and the little platform for its FCR. You can also see the "hangar door" open showing torpedo launchers inside. The two "torpedo rooms" seem to be separated in the middle.

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Yay, that answers the torpedo question, and it doesn't seems to be a "torpedo room" per se on this ship, just like on 054A frigates...find somewhere put that damn thing...

MwRYum said:

Yay, that answers the torpedo question, and it doesn't seems to be a "torpedo room" per se on this ship, just like on 054A frigates...find somewhere put that damn thing...

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hmmwv already posted a photo confirming that the middle of the back section is separated from the two torpedo rooms by walls. Besides, you don't need some big torpedo room on these ships. What would they be for anyway?

It also looks like the funnels are still curved towards the back even as they are being walled up to be enclosed on three sides. It also looks like the funnels go right up to the edge of the back stack wall. I sure hope they clean that area regularly.....

My guess would be that they will eventually replace the exhaust pipes so they curve in an upward angle.

Ships don't have torpedo rooms. Those launchers are self-contained, and swifle 90 deg from stowage to launch. Only in recent years they are put inside, and I suspect only for the ship's RCS sake.

hmmwv said:

My guess would be that they will eventually replace the exhaust pipes so they curve in an upward angle.

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Perhaps the 056's piping system has no provision for significant water intake, such as during rainstorms. You can see the little exhaust nozzles have had some additional piping added to increase their height and bring them up to the lip of the stack, and they are also still facing backwards. If they could tolerate being open to the sky, it would have been far easier to just cut the pipe and make it that way instead of adding all that extra stuff.

Maybe their mission includes evicting illegal submarines.

no_name said:

Maybe their mission includes evicting illegal submarines.

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Technically that won't be "illegal" but "invading", or "infringing" depend on what legal jargon you'd prefer.

By what we can tell so far, its obvious ASW package only the torpedo launchers and no anti-sub mortars found on frigates and destroyers.

Like I've said, we should know more by next year at the earliest.