056 class FFL/corvette
- Thread starter dingyibvs
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Geographer
Junior Member
I think what we are seeing from many posters in this thread is a profound sense of disappointment in the 056. So many hoped the 056 would plug the PLAN's gaping ASW capabilities hole. They were shocked that the 056 has neither a towed array sonar system nor helicopter or UAV hanger. I myself am wondering what the hell are the PLAN thinking with this ship as including a TAS does not seem overly burdensome and would have enormously improved its ASW capability. When is the PLAN going to build a dedicated ASW ship with a TAS, multiple helicopters, and rocket-assisted torpedoes? We all know they need one.
joshuatree
Captain
I think what's holding back is a breakthrough in ASROC and a helo that can fit on a smaller 056 yet have the heavy lift needed. Personally, I'm not disappointed. Seeing how fast the hulls are being launched and even some mods already being made, there's no reason why ASW versions can't be produced later or even just later flights with more ASW capabilities. The 037s and Jianghu's need to go.
What would really be impressive is the day the CN can have most of its armament in VLS format, even the torpedos. I wonder if the 056 or slight stretched version of it could hold more with a VLS instead of the current tube box format.
lcloo
Captain
The original idea of developing 056 was to build light patrol frigate with low operational costs and lightly armed. It was not meant to be a dedicated ASW boat nor a fast attack missile boat as many nettizens wished it to be. Many of our wishes do not correspond with PLAN's requirement.
Using 054A or destroyers for everyday coastal patrol duties would be very expensive.
Considered 056 as replacement of 037 class then we would be more than satisfied with her endurance, eletronic gears and armament.
Mysterre
Banned Idiot
Exactly this.
Mysterre
Banned Idiot
A 054B with TAS, two hangars, multirole VLS carrying CY-X missiles and a couple Z-15ASW helos would be purrrrfect. Forget 056 mods.
MwRYum
Major
Indeed, consider the debut user, PLA Hong Kong Garrison's naval units, are gearing up to replace their 037-II missile boats with 056 corvettes, then you can see which way the PLAN is heading towards.
And many of the netizens are ill informed or lack of exposure to the outside world, fail to evolve from the old Soviet coastal defense doctrine - multi-role platform with higher tonnage is the way to go forward, but unless you're US Navy, using frigates on low-intensity ops and constant patrols is just uneconomical.
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Mysterre
Banned Idiot
Exactly. Hence the new 056 class corvette.
Geographer
Junior Member
ASW operations should be part of a coastal patrol ship's repertoire. American submarines are widely used to collect intelligence close to shore where surface ships dare not tread. Considering this is still a naval ship and not a coast guard cutter, it should be capable of hunting submarines that venture close to the Chinese coast. But it's not.
Mysterre
Banned Idiot
What the 056 would need to really effectively hunt subs is a TAS and an ASW helo with a dedicated hangar, both of which are probably considered too expensive to mass produce in the numbers that the 056 will be expected to be made in. While it would be nice to arm every ship and its mother with a TAS and a helo, I don't really feel this is likely to be part of PLAN's ASW doctrine or the 056's role. A 054/A/B operating as part of a task force would IMO be far more suited to subhunting than a lone 056.
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