Type 053H1-class (Jianghu II)

The Type 053H1 (Jianghu-II) class is a variant of the Type 053 frigate family, developed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) by the Wuhan-based No. 701 Institute. Intended as a replacement for older PLAN frigates, the class is an improvement of the earlier Type 053H (Jianghu-I) surface-warfare design. Nine Type 053H1 frigates were constructed by the Hudong Shipyard in Shanghai, with launches occurring between 1981 and 1987. The vessels were commissioned into Chinese service between 1982 and 1988.

The Type 053H1 class incorporates updated engines, electronics, and underway replenishment equipment compared to the preceding Type 053H variant. The primary anti-ship armament consists of six SY-2 missiles mounted in two triple-box launchers. Acoustic detection is provided by the SJD-5 sonar, a Chinese derivative of the Soviet Tamir-11 (MG-11) system (NATO reporting name Stag Hoof). The SJD-5 modifies the original Soviet MG-11 by replacing its vacuum tubes with transistors. One frigate of the class, Zhaotong, was configured as a testbed for advanced systems, receiving PL-9C surface-to-air missiles integrated into its 37 mm anti-aircraft gun mounts.

The PLAN deployed the Type 053H1 class across its East Sea, North Sea, and South Sea Fleets. Eight vessels remained in Chinese service in 2007, but the majority were decommissioned by 2021, leaving Shaoguan as the only active unit. Following their retirement from active duty, Jinhua and Dandong were designated for preservation as museum ships in Hengdian and Dandong, respectively.

Two foreign navies have operated the Type 053H1 class. The Bangladesh Navy acquired Xiangtan in 1989, shortly after its decommissioning from the PLAN, and operated the vessel as BNS Osman until its retirement in 2020. In March 2012, the PLAN decommissioned Anshun and Jishou and transferred them to the Burmese Navy, where they were recommissioned as UMS Maha Bandula and UMS Maha Thiha Thura.