China Defense Blog: Two more Jianghu FFGs are done for.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Two more Jianghu FFGs are done for.

FFG-552 “Yibin”,FFG-551 “Maoming" are at Binghai Shipyard being dismantled. Apparently Jan 2013 Naval and Merchant Ships has a gallery of them.

-- hmmwv

Sunday, August 05, 2012

Bye bye FFG 511 and 512

The Jianghu class pair FFG 511 (Nantong) and FFG 512 (Wuxi) of the 8th Escort Squadron, East Sea Fleet, decommissioned today at the Yangtze River pier. Perhaps it is the way the China Navy frees up personnel for the incoming new boats.

Photo credit goes to Bigrabbit of HSH.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

JiangHu V Class FFG, Two-Point-O.

Recent pictures reveal that several upgrades have been completed on the last batch of Type 053H1G FFG (also known as Jianghu V class) that entered service in the 1990s with the South Sea Fleet. Those upgrades are suggesting that all six Jianghu V class FFGs will remain in service with the PLAN for the foreseeable future.

The latest improvements include new air-search and fire-control radars, new twin 100mm main gun turrets to replace the old models, the addition of 37mm CIWS mounts, and the replacement of Silkworms with YJ-83 anti-ship missiles.

The reasoning behind the latest upgrade of a rather obsolete class of frigates has been the subject of speculation on CDF. Some suggest that recent upgrades signify the immaturity of newer vessels' design, while others argue that even though the 053 is obsolete, it remains a cost-effective and potent platform against weaker potential rivals in the South China Sea. This author is highly skeptical of the "technology immaturity" speculation; the rapid pace of 054A construction should have erased any doubt by now about the "maturity" of the PLAN's new generation of FFGs. The latter speculation is a far more likely possibility. The commitment of modern surface combatants to the Gulf of Aden and the uptick in regional maritime disputes has increased the necessity for a stop-gap measure for effective littoral patrol until the new Type 056 corvettes enter service. *

-- Mr. Unknown
* With special thanks to duskylim

* FFG558 Zigong pre-upgrade