Type 054B-class (Jiangkai III)

The Type 054B (NATO designation Jiangkai III) is a class of guided-missile frigates operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy. Developed as a successor to the Type 054A, the design was subject to speculation during the 2010s before intelligence confirmed the designation in the early 2020s. The first two hulls were laid down in 2022 at the Hudong-Zhonghua and Huangpu shipyards and launched in 2023.

The Type 054B is longer and wider than its predecessor. Propulsion is provided by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) system. The vessel features an integrated mast topped with a dual-face rotating phased array radar. The stern contains a panel for a variable depth sonar and ports for the deployment of towed sonars and decoys. Aviation facilities consist of a hangar and a flight deck sized to accommodate the Z-20 helicopter.

Armament for the class includes an H/PJ-87 main gun and an H/AKJ-16 vertical launching system. Anti-ship capabilities are provided by YJ-83 missiles. For close-in defense, the ships utilize an H/PJ-11 gun-based system and an HHQ-10 surface-to-air missile launcher.

Two vessels of the class are currently active. The first ship, Luohe (545), was commissioned on January 22, 2025, and is assigned to the North Sea Fleet. The second vessel, Qinzhou (555), serves with the South Sea Fleet. Its existence was confirmed on April 12, 2025, following a secret commissioning process. Both vessels have participated in live-fire and operational training exercises in the South China Sea and other regions.