Chinese frigates

[McTaff]

After looking around I have seen there is not much news on the progression of the Type 054 Chinese frigates.
Also, the SAM-equipped Type 053 were going to have a missile upgrade, and nothing seems to have come of that.

For both types:
Anyone out there know what is going on with these vessels?
Are there any projected threat radii published yet?
Have they decided how many they are going to procure?

 

[tatra]

After looking around I have seen there is not much news on the progression of the Type 054 Chinese frigates.
Also, the SAM-equipped Type 053 were going to have a missile upgrade, and nothing seems to have come of that.

For both types:
Anyone out there know what is going on with these vessels?
Are there any projected threat radii published yet?
Have they decided how many they are going to procure?

Well, some 054As were built and now they will be used, maybe more will be built. What progression are you expecting? As for the SAM upgrade on the 053s, which ones? The non-HQ7 equipped ships? Or the Hw7 equipped ships? If the latter, you might find an upgraded missile systems, with no visible changes to the ships.

 

[crobato]

You can check the thread progression on the 054 and 054A in the Sinodefenceforum and in the Chinese Defense Forum. Just by following the posts, when they are posted and the pictures in them, and you can even have a graphical mini history of the ships from building in the docks all the way to when they are commissioned.

In addition to two 054, four 054A has been built, and all have been commissioned. Some more hulls akin to 054A has been spotted in shipyards, which is an indication that more will be built.

Some of the earlier 053 were upgraded to HQ-7s from HQ-61s. However, it does not appear that more 053s may be upgraded, and it looks like these vessels will be allowed to retire gracefully or turned into Coast Guard vessels, while more 054A will replace them.

 

[tatra]

Some of the earlier 053 were upgraded to HQ-7s from HQ-61s. However, it does not appear that more 053s may be upgraded, and it looks like these vessels will be allowed to retire gracefully or turned into Coast Guard vessels, while more 054A will replace them.

Really!? I understood there were just 4 053s with HQ-61. So, if 'some' were upgraded, I'ld expect at least 2 out of those 4 to be upgraded, which is half the number of ships. Nonetheless, haven't seen any images of an upgraded version. Also, if its just an additional 2 ships to upgrade, it doesn't seem a big investment yet it would yield logistics uniformity (thus saving money). In short, while I trust you, I find it somewhat hard to believe what you said here.

 

[crobato]

Yes, you're half right. After reviewing the pictures I have, the 053H2G vessels still have their HHQ-16s. But what they upgrade are to new YJs and the new turret with a new gun.

 

[McTaff]

Yes, you're half right. After reviewing the pictures I have, the 053H2G vessels still have their HHQ-16s. But what they upgrade are to new YJs and the new turret with a new gun.

Yep, this is what I was referring to. (I don't get a lot of time to browse the forums, and I'm not a member at Sinodefence, hence me asking the question. I'm doing my best to catch up.)

I initially thought they'd mixed numbers on the HQ-16, as the Type 053 have an HQ-61 (Sea Sparrow clone). But I can see the 054A's have a missile designated HQ-16, based on SA-11/SA-17.

I'm going to have to find out more on the HQ-16 (MD-2000 is the export name), I had initially overlooked it thinking it was a typo. Anyone have the inside track on this system? Is it performing to spec?

 

[tphuang]

Yep, this is what I was referring to. (I don't get a lot of time to browse the forums, and I'm not a member at Sinodefence, hence me asking the question. I'm doing my best to catch up.)

I initially thought they'd mixed numbers on the HQ-16, as the Type 053 have an HQ-61 (Sea Sparrow clone). But I can see the 054A's have a missile designated HQ-16, based on SA-11/SA-17.

I'm going to have to find out more on the HQ-16 (MD-2000 is the export name), I had initially overlooked it thinking it was a typo. Anyone have the inside track on this system? Is it performing to spec?

i'm sure Crobato mistyped it, but 053 do not use HH!-16. As for MD-2000 being the export name, I have never heard of it. As far as I know, it has yet to be offered for export.

 

[crobato]

I'm sorry I mistyped it. The 053H2Gs have HH-61s. As a note, some of the Jianghus (053H1G and below) are also upgraded in the same fashion, new turrets and guns, new YJ antiship missiles, fire control systems and radar, and a new satcom link. The balance of the ships that are not upgraded will be donated, demilitarized and turned into Coast Guard vessels.

Some pics.

http://www.wforum.com/specials/articles/03/38850.html

 

[King Comm]

Are the funnels modified just to make sure that the SATCOM antenna won't be roasted or are there any possibly more sinister reasons? Signature reduction? Is there any point to do that on such an old ship?

 

[crobato]

I'm more likely to think that its the former reason, that soot falling upon the antenna might be a nuisance enough to cause the modification. If you want thermal signature reduction, it might be better to have the inner funnel covered by an outer funnel, with the outer funnel having ventilation slots to let the cool air come in and fill the space between the inner and outer funnels.