Type 053H2-class (Jianghu III)

The Type 053H2, designated by NATO as the Jianghu-III class, is a surface warfare frigate developed as an iteration of the Type 053H1. Hudong Shipyard constructed the vessels between 1985 and 1992. The class was produced for the People's Liberation Army Navy and the Royal Thai Navy, with later units transferred to the Bangladesh Navy.

The design features an enlarged hull compared to its predecessors and incorporates airtight cabins, central air conditioning, and nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection. It was the first Chinese frigate class to utilize an integrated combat management system, identified as the ZKJ-3A or the British CTC-1629. Electronic systems include the HN-900 data link, SNTI-240 satellite communications, and the EH-5 hull-mounted sonar. The sonar system utilized integrated circuits to improve upon previous transistor-based designs. Sensor equipment consists of air and surface search radars, surface search fire control, and dedicated fire control systems for the gun armaments.

The class is configured for anti-surface warfare in littoral environments. Armament consists of surface-to-surface missile launchers for YJ-8 or YJ-82 missiles and two dual-gun main turrets. Secondary armament includes dual anti-aircraft gun mounts. Anti-submarine systems comprise rocket launchers, depth charge projectors, and racks. The vessels are also fitted with decoy rocket launchers for defense.

The People's Liberation Army Navy operated three ships within its East Sea Fleet. Huangshi and Wuhu served until 2013, when they were decommissioned and sold to the Bangladesh Navy. These ships entered Bangladeshi service as BNS Abu Bakr and BNS Ali Haider. The third Chinese vessel, Cangzhou (formerly Zhoushan), was decommissioned in 2019.

The Royal Thai Navy operates four variants of the design, known as the Chao Phraya class or Type 053HT. These units include HTMS Chao Phraya, HTMS Bangpakong, HTMS Kraburi, and HTMS Saiburi. The Kraburi and Saiburi were modified during construction to include a rear helicopter deck for the Harbin Z-9. These export versions utilize SJD-5A sonar, which incorporates very-large-scale integrated circuits.