On 22 January the Chinese People’s Liberation Army- Navy (PLA-N) commissioned the 5,000 tonne Luohe, its first Type 54B frigate. The new class features advancements in stealth, combat command systems and integrated firepower control over the original Type 54 design.
The commissioning took place at the naval port of Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province and the ship joins the Northern Fleet.
The Type 54B is longer and beamier than the Type 54A. Armament comprises a 100mm main gun, a 32-cell vertical launching missile system, a Type 1130 11-barrel 30mm close in weapon system and the HQ-10 short range air defence missile system. The hangar and flight deck allow for the larger Harbin Z-20 helicopter to be embarked.
Sources: Including PLA.
