China’s Linfen frigate appears to fit the mold of the existing Type 054s—but is different in several key ways, though the extent of the differences remains unknown.

There has been much focus on China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) expanding its aircraft carrier fleet, with Beijing seeking to have as many as nine operational carriers in service by the end of the 2030s. However, the PLAN’s surface fleet already consists of numerous smaller, yet highly capable, warships.

This month, the PLAN received a new variant of its Type 054A (NATO reporting name “Jiangkai II”) guided-missile frigate.

The Type 054A Frigate’s Specifications

• Year Introduced: 2005
• Number Built: 2
• Length: 134 m (440 ft)
• Beam (Width): 16 m (52 ft)
• Displacement: 3,963 tonnes
• Engines: Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD); four Pielstick 16PA6V-280STC diesel engines (6,750 kW / 9,050 hp each)
• Top Speed: ~28 knots (52 km/h, 32 mph)
• Range: ~4,000 nmi (7,408 km, 4,603 mi)
• Armaments: Large-caliber main gun; HQ-16 medium-range surface-to-air missiles
• Crew: 180

How Is China’s New Frigate Different?

The Linfen is slightly longer and has greater displacement than the existing Type 054 frigates, but its exact specifications have not yet been independently confirmed. It is also unclear whether Linfen has a larger complement than the sailors who crew the other Type 054A warships.

Linfen, hull number 543, is larger than the existing frigates in the class, featuring an extended flight deck and expanded hangar that could support a new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, notably the Z-20F. The modification was likely made to address a perceived shortcoming in the aircraft’s ability to perform the ASW mission from the vessel. The Z-20F is reported to have a larger combat radius than the Z-9 helicopter and can detect and counter hostile submarines at a significantly greater range.

The new warship is also armed with a larger-caliber main gun, enhancing its ability to engage in close-range maritime combat and support amphibious landings. According to Chinese state media, Linfen is equipped with “a more integrated shipborne weapons system, superior maritime stealth performance, a wider radar detection range, higher positioning accuracy,” and it can operate in “complex electromagnetic environments.” The improved radar is meant to enhance the frigate’s air defense capabilities.

Improving the PLAN’s Workhorse Combatants

The PLAN hasn’t confirmed the exact number of Type 054A frigates in service, but current estimates indicate Beijing maintains a fleet of 40 to 50, with several under construction. The warships are an improved version of the Type 054 (NATO reporting name “Jiangkai I”), of which just two were built.

As previously reported “These guided-missile warships, heavily influenced by France’s Lafayette-class series, also host technology derived from other nations. The radar suite onboard these frigates uses technology reverse-engineered from Russian systems.”

Even as China’s PLAN continues to receive additional Type 054 warships, four Type 054s have been exported to Pakistan, with the first entering service in November 2021. China had previously offered to sell at least three of the frigates to the Royal Thai Navy more than a decade ago, but Bangkok opted to adopt the South Korean Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers instead.