TAIPEI, Taiwan — In response to increasing competition from the U.S. and other regional forces, China’s navy has welcomed a new-generation frigate into its fleet, emphasizing that this vessel will “play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness” of its military capabilities.
China has established itself as the nation with the largest navy in terms of the number of vessels, although there are perceptions that its technological advancements may not be keeping pace with those of its competitors, notably the United States. The U.S. Navy has recently expressed concerns regarding the potential for being outnumbered and is advocating for a more aggressive shipbuilding strategy, as well as measures to expedite the operational readiness of damaged vessels.
Primarily, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operates along the Chinese eastern coastline and within the strategically significant South China Sea, an area that China asserts dominion over almost entirely. A critical objective remains to support possible military action against Taiwan, an island democracy located approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) from China’s shore, which Beijing intends to reclaim by force if necessary.
The first of the Type 054B frigates, named Luohe, was officially commissioned on Wednesday in Qingdao, a key port city in northern China where the PLAN’s northern fleet is stationed.
This new frigate boasts a displacement of around 5,000 tons and is equipped with advanced stealth technology, sophisticated combat command systems, and enhanced firepower integration. According to naval officials, these features significantly boost the ship’s overall performance.
With capabilities geared towards comprehensive combat operations and a variety of military tasks, the Luohe is expected to serve an essential role in improving the combat readiness of naval task forces. Its armaments include a selection of machine guns suited for close engagement, along with anti-air and anti-ship missiles, suggesting that it could become a crucial component of the Chinese naval fleet.
While the statement regarding the Luohe did not elaborate on future Type 054B frigates, reports indicate that at least two additional units have already been launched, with one more currently under construction. Presently, China operates approximately 234 warships, outpacing the U.S. Navy’s count of 219 vessels, which includes around 50 frigates and an equal number of destroyers. Additionally, China has two aircraft carriers in service and another in the midst of sea trials, along with a robust coast guard.
Recent military exercises have suggested that, in the event of a simulated confrontation with the U.S., China would sustain considerably higher losses among its naval vessels, yet it would likely manage to absorb these casualties and maintain its fighting capability.
In recent years, the PLAN has extended its operations beyond its territorial waters, deploying ships to regions such as the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean, aiming to bolster its international economic and diplomatic presence. The navy and Chinese coast guard have also conducted patrols in the East China Sea, where they have asserted claims over a group of uninhabited islands that are currently under Japanese administration. Despite encounters between aircraft and vessels from both nations, there have not been any reports of armed conflict during these incidents.
The United States and other countries have taken deliberate actions to navigate closely to these disputed islands, which include some that have been artificially constructed, as part of their strategy to contest China’s territorial assertions. Beijing, for its part, has disregarded a ruling from a U.N.-backed tribunal that dismissed the majority of its territorial claims in the region.
