Type 054B frigate

The Type 054B frigate is a Chinese multi-role warship class announced in 2013 by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The 5000 tonne vessels will feature enhanced anti-submarine capabilities, and will feature an all electric propulsion system. The ship is being constructed by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation No. 712 Institute.

Improvements
The ship's independently developed integrated electric propulsion system will have a single-axis propulsion power of 20 MW.

The 054B features a smooth and clean hull shape when compared with the 054A, with a long deck, a helicopter hangar behind the main hull base, a higher inclined bow, and boards designed to reduce waves from flooding the deck. The ship's horizontal profile resembles a V shape, with a relatively small length-to-width ratio estimated at approximately 8.0.

With the increases in hull size, the 054 will have more space to install complete weapons systems, with a focus on increasing anti-submarine capabilities and survivability, and strengthening operational efficiency. The ship's missile systems will feature a long-range supersonic C805 anti-ship missiles, and Changying-3 anti-submarine missiles with a 60km maximum range. The ship's air defence will feature either HHQ-16C or HHQ-16D series missiles, and a FL-3000N close-range defence anti-missile system.

The ship will be equipped with conventional Type 81 RBU and 324mm light anti-submarine torpedoes to protect against submarine torpedo attack. A Russian-made Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopter will be kept on board.