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Type 054A vs Type 26

Overview

The Type 054A and the Type 26 are both Frigate classes.

The Type 26 displaces 8,000 tons — 2.0x the Type 054A's 3,963 tons. The Type 054A reaches 27 knots vs 26 knots for the Type 26. Operational range is 3,800 nautical miles for the Type 054A vs 7,000 for the Type 26.

The Type 054A was produced in 40 units vs 8 for the Type 26. Cost per hull is $348M for the Type 054A vs $1,600M for the Type 26. The Type 054A was commissioned in 2008, 18 years before the Type 26 (2026).

Chinese frigate, introduced in 2008, displaces 3,963 tons and uses CODAD propulsion.
Origin 🇨🇳 China
Category Frigate
Type Frigate
Manufacturer Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard
Year introduced 2008
Number built 40 units
Estimated unit price $348 million
British anti-submarine frigate adopted by Australia, Canada and Norway — over 30 hulls planned.
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Frigate
Type Anti-submarine frigate
Manufacturer BAE Systems, Govan and Scotstoun
Year introduced 2026
Number built 8 units
Estimated unit price $1,600 million
Displacement 3,963 tons
Maximum speed 27.0 knots
Range 3,800 nm at 18 knots
Length 134.0 m
Beam 16.0 m
Crew --
Propulsion CODAD, 4 × SEMT Pielstick 16 PA 6V 280 STC diesels, 20.7 MW (28,200 hp) total, 2 shafts
Armament
  • 1 × 32-cell H/AKJ-16 VLS
  • HQ-16 SAM
  • Yu-8 anti submarine rocket launcher
  • 2 × 4 YJ-83 anti-ship missiles
  • 1 × H/PJ-26 76 mm naval gun
  • 2 × Type 730 7-barrel 30 mm CIWS guns or Type 1130
  • 2 × 3 324mm Yu-7 ASW torpedo launchers
  • 2 × 6 Type 87 240mm anti-submarine rocket launcher (36 rockets carried)
  • 2 × Type 726-4 18-tube decoy rocket launchers
Displacement 8,000 tons
Maximum speed 26.0 knots
Range 7,000 nm
Length 149.9 m
Beam 20.8 m
Crew 157
Propulsion CODLOG: Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine + 4 diesel generators, 2 electric motors
Armament
  • 24-cell Mk 41 strike-length VLS
  • 48 × Sea Ceptor (CAMM) air-defence missiles
  • 1 × 127 mm Mk 45 gun
  • 2 × 30 mm guns, Phalanx CIWS
  • Reconfigurable mission bay
  • Type 2087 towed array sonar

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Type 054A-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 26-class has greater displacement at 8,000 tons compared to the Type 054A-class's 3,963 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 054A-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 054A-class is faster with a maximum speed of 27 knots compared to the Type 26-class's 26 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 054A-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 26-class has a longer range at 7,000 nautical miles compared to the Type 054A-class's 3,800 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 054A-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 26-class is longer at 149.9 meters compared to the Type 054A-class's 134.0 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Type 054A-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 26-class is more expensive at approximately $1.6 billion per unit compared to the Type 054A-class at $348 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Type 054A-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 054A-class has been built in greater numbers with 40 vessels compared to 8 vessels of the Type 26-class.