Type 054A Class (Jiangkai II Class) Chinese Frigate

The Type 054A (NATO codename Jiangkai II) frigate is a class of Chinese multi-role frigates, the first of which entered service with the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force in 2007. It is a development of the Type 054 frigate, using the same hull but with improved sensors and weapons. The Type 054A was first revealed while under construction at the Guangzhou-based Huangpu Shipyard in 2005. The Type 054A carries HQ-16 medium-range air defense missiles and anti-submarine missiles in a vertical launching system (VLS) system. The HQ-16 has a range of up to 50 km, with superior range and engagement angles to the Type 054's HQ-7. Type 054A's VLS uses a hot launch method; a shared common exhaust system is sited between the two rows of rectangular launching tubes. The four AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS) of Type 054 were replaced with two Type 730 CIWS on the Type 054A. The autonomous Type 730 provides improved reaction time against close-in threats. The Type 054A retains its predecessor's stealth features, including a sloped hull design, radar absorbent materials, and a clean profile. An improved variant beginning with the 17th unit launched from Huangpu Shipyard in 2009 has the seven-barrelled Type 730 CIWS replaced by the more capable 11-barrelled Type 1130 and is unofficially referred to as Type 54A+. Another reported improvement over the original Type 054A includes the incorporation of variable depth sonar and towed array sonar. Type 054A frigate made its first operational deployment to the Gulf of Aden when 570 Huangshan set sail as part of 2nd Escort Flotilla/Task Group 167 on 2 April 2009, the Escort Flotilla arrived there on 13 April 2009, and took over from 1st Escort Flotilla/Task Group 169 on 15 April 2009. Since then, 11 Type 054A have deployed to the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations. In the lead-up to the Libyan civil war, 530 Xuzhou was deployed from anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden to help evacuate Chinese nationals from Libya. In January 2014, 546 Yancheng was redeployed from anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to escort Syrian chemical weapons destined for destruction.