PLAN Decommission Of The Day: FFG 527 Luoyang after 20 years of service

Most modern warships operate for more than 20 years, with some lasting up to 30 years or more.  However, given how quickly the PLAN is "making dumplings," rehiring older, less powerful ones to reduce operating costs and personnel makes sense. 

Link to the news of the decommissioning in Chinese (here)

 

Monday, September 02, 2024

Family Photo: Type 053H3 class frigate.

Everyone smiles now and says chess. 

FFG564 Yichang, FFG565 Huludao, FFG 566 Huaihua, FFG567 Xiangyang, FFG528 Mianyang

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Checking in with the Type 053H3 class frigate

The PLAN still maintains 8 Type 053H3 class Frigates (FFG) in its fleet (two of which were sold to the Bangladesh Navy), but they rarely receive any no media coverage.   For example, the majority of the class's air defense systems were upgraded in 2017, but a CCTV report on them only aired recently.    I suppose they aren't as appealing as the latest and greatest Type055.  

FFG 527 Luoyang

Tuesday, January 03, 2017

Type 053H3 FFG gets an upgrade.

Judging by the recently completed Mid-Life extensions of PLAN's 053H3 FFG, its older air defense assets are now par with currently standards:  Out are the HQ-7 SAM and the 4x Type 76 dual 37mm AAA,  new are the HQ-10 (Chinese SeaRAM) and the 2xType730 CIWS. 

The ten 053H3s still in service are considered "second tier" by the PLAN and being deployed as such.  However, since this class has organic hangar support for ASW helo and with a greater range, they are more versatile than the newer Type056.  Expect them to be around for a while. 

 Photo credit goes to Forbin

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