Ezhou is the anti submarine variant Here is the photo of hand over ceremony From Henri K
The ceremony for the active service of the 31st Corvette Type 056 (Source: 新闻 新闻)
Note that the 513
Ezhou is an anti-submarine warfare variant, it is therefore a corvette
Type 056A precisely. Compared to the basic version, this variant is equipped in addition to a towed sonar, which can be put into the sea through a large opening located at the stern.
It also receives an additional acoustic combat system, and could develop a new anti-submarine missile ASROC, with a range of over 50 km (see our article "
").
Of the 31 buildings of Type 056 that have already joined the ranks of the Chinese navy, 9 specialize in anti-submarine warfare near the Chinese coast, the 513
Ezhou .
Given the geographical location of Shacheng Naval Base, which borders the East China Sea where the continental shelf is ideal for the maneuvers and activities of attack diesel submarines, one can understand the choice of its deployment to this location .
According to the official description, Type 056 and Type 056A are used within the Chinese Navy for maritime patrol, coastal defense and protection of Chinese naval routes and ports.
The location of the Shacheng Naval Base
To date, at least 12 Type 056 and Type 056A corvettes are still under construction or armament. One of them, the 514
Liupanshui , could be called to active duty by the end of March.
In total, the Chinese navy could admit to active service up to 12 new Type 056 corvettes in 2017 according to our estimate. And of the 70 buildings ordered, 42 are already in the water.
Monitoring of production and entry into service of Type 056 - Updated on 18 January 2017
Henri K.