Even giving them away would still bring contracts to shipyards for the renovation of the ships. Chinese shipyards must be so busy they do not care and let them rust away never to be touched again. It is a bit wasteful if you ask me.
They started upgrades in 2014... they aren't finished yet?
They didn't start until late '16.
nope. I highly doubt the existence of 054B. I don't think there's any need to build new frigates. maybe I will be wrong.
How else do you think they'll replace type 053 classes?
32 054/054As are enough. more frigates would be a waste of money.
I hope you are joking, the frigates are not only responsible for coastal defense but also sealane protection and anti piracy missions.
I know 054A is not that advanced. it's 90's tech. don't forget 60+ 056/056A for coastal defense. if 054B is 6,000+ tonne, it'll overlap with 052d. if 054B is <= 5,000 tonne, what's the point? ships under 5,000 tonne sailing on high seas look like this.
Larger ships means more money.I know 054A is not that advanced. it's 90's tech. don't forget 60+ 056/056A for coastal defense. if 054B is 6,000+ tonne, it'll overlap with 052d. if 054B is <= 5,000 tonne, what's the point? ships under 5,000 tonne sailing on high seas look like this.
it's not suitable for long distances. larger ships are the trend in the future. it's temporary expediency to let 054A to handle those missions that destroyers should undertake. I think what China needs is a 9,000 tonne class ship filling the gap between 055 and 052d, aka the rumored 052E.
China has sent some 32 anti piracy task forces to gulf of aden, and most of them had the flagships as one or two of the 054a ships. These missions have become staple in these ships' deployments.
maybe currently they're just OK. but you know small ships have no future. it's a trend.
