Chinese Type-054A Frigate compared

[Manticore]

Chinese Type-054A Frigate compared

Chinese Type-054A Frigate compared


The modern Chinese navy is fast catching up for lost years when it was generally regarded as backwards and impotent. Among the modern warships being produced are the Type-054A multirole frigates. At first glance these are arguably the best all-round frigates in East-Asia.


To test that idea I’ve conducted a very quick and dirty comparison between the Type-054A and the other obvious contenders representing Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia. I chose the ships that closest equated to the GP frigate role whilst also being the most modern (in this classification) of their country’s warships. The contenders:

Formidable class, Singapore
Very modern French designed stealth frigates




Takanami class, Japan
Japan doesn’t the frigate classification but the closest fit is the Takanami class destroyer. It is however much bigger than the others in this comparison.

Gwanggaeto the Great Class, South Korea
Aka KDX1, this class is not as modern or as capable as the KDX-II and KDX-III classes but is closest to a frigate description although classified as a Destroyer by ROKN.

Upgraded Cheng Kung class, Taiwan
Closely derived from the US Oliver Hazard Perry class, these ships have additional AAA and a much more powerful anti-ship fit.

Upgraded Adelaide class, Australia
Another OHP type, the Australian frigates have gone through a significant weapons upgrade.

The comparison….


SAMs

http://dc185.*******.com/img/oouYCEDH/0.4303049194401999/frigatecomp1samci8.png

This is a difficult one. On the one hand the Formidible’s Aster-15 missile with it’s active guidance is almost certainly the most advanced, but Adelaide’s mix of long ranged SM-2 and a potential 32 ESSM definitely wins the longer ranged battle and the quantity game (although conceptually Takanami could carry a whopping 128 ESSMs quad-packed into the VLS). I’d go for Adelaide as winner but it’s not an outright win by any means

CIWS


http://dc185.*******.com/img/sdDJKSzd/0.7384784626280911/frigatecomp1ciwslp7.png

The Korean ship is the natural winner here with two 30mm Goalkeepers giving a full 360 degree coverage against sea-skimming missiles. Takanami also has 360 degree coverage but with the less potent Phalanx. The Chinese Type-54A has good coverage with the potentially excellent Type-730s plus a DP gun forward but has a nagging blind spot at the rear that keeps it from top place. Formidable appears the weakest and in purely CIWS that is true, but I think the Singaporeans are placing their faith in the awesome Aster-15 anti-missile missiles.
Conceptually CIWS coverage could be improved on the warships with OTO-Melara 76mm guns by the purchase of guided and advanced fused AAA rounds but there are no reports of the Australian, Taiwanese or Singaporean governments doing so (?)



Anti-Ship

This is going to be a surprising result for many. With its mix of Hsiung-Feng III supersonic long range missiles and Hsiung-Feng II long range dual-guidance subsonic missiles the Taiwanese Cheng Kung class is the clear leader.





Anti-Submarine


http://dc185.*******.com/img/_nwc1EHN/0.45525182011565557/frigatecomp1aswkk3.png

The much larger “ASW Destroyer” Takanami class has the distinct advantage in this aspect, carrying ASROC missiles and a very advanced sonar fit.

 

[Manticore]

http://dc185.*******.com/img/QUrDRniv/0.6357501389488929/frigatecompciwshs4.jpg

http://dc185.*******.com/img/yM-q4evi/0.5138740325071657/frigatecompsamgi3.jpg

 

[Manticore]

http://dc185.*******.com/img/uJJlgYZB/0.6554513129722387/frigatecompaswfc0.jpg

http://dc185.*******.com/img/Mvp4c5-k/0.7323353803401959/frigatecompoverallvv4.jpg




Overall ranking
This is very difficult. There is no clear-cut across the board winner, but the Takanami is probably the most capable overall. Having said that, it’s much bigger and probably more expensive than the others and is certainly not the best in terms of air-defence or anti-surface warfare.

The much-upgraded Adelaide is certainly very potent but disadvantaged by older sensors and the OHP heritage – the ship itself simply isn’t that modern. The Formidable however is extremely modern and has some very advanced systems and design features. The Type-054A is certainly up there.
If we look at a few other considerations we could easily be persuaded away from the raw weapons stats that put the Takanami up there as the best overall:


In summary then, Takanami has the clear ASW and size advantage, and is probably best overall, but each has certain characteristics that stand out as ‘best in class’ among the selection. The Chinese Type-054A certainly isn’t miles behind the western types in any regard.







credits.. planeman

 

[jupiter2007]

Chinese Type-054A Frigate compared

Chinese Type-054A Frigate compared


The modern Chinese navy is fast catching up for lost years when it was generally regarded as backwards and impotent. Among the modern warships being produced are the Type-054A multirole frigates. At first glance these are arguably the best all-round frigates in East-Asia.


To test that idea I’ve conducted a very quick and dirty comparison between the Type-054A and the other obvious contenders representing Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia. I chose the ships that closest equated to the GP frigate role whilst also being the most modern (in this classification) of their country’s warships. The contenders:

Formidable class, Singapore
Very modern French designed stealth frigates. My personal favorite.

Takanami class, Japan
Japan doesn’t the frigate classification but the closest fit is the Takanami class destroyer. It is however much bigger than the others in this comparison.

Gwanggaeto the Great Class, South Korea
Aka KDX1, this class is not as modern or as capable as the KDX-II and KDX-III classes but is closest to a frigate description although classified as a Destroyer by ROKN.


Upgraded Cheng Kung class, Taiwan
Closely derived from the US Oliver Hazard Perry class, these ships have additional AAA and a much more powerful anti-ship fit.

Upgraded Adelaide class, Australia
Another OHP type, the Australian frigates have gone through a significant weapons upgrade.

The comparison….


SAMs

This is a difficult one. On the one hand the Formidible’s Aster-15 missile with it’s active guidance is almost certainly the most advanced, but Adelaide’s mix of long ranged SM-2 and a potential 32 ESSM definitely wins the longer ranged battle and the quantity game (although conceptually Takanami could carry a whopping 128 ESSMs quad-packed into the VLS). I’d go for Adelaide as winner but it’s not an outright win by any means.

 

[jupiter2007]

CIWS

The Korean ship is the natural winner here with two 30mm Goalkeepers giving a full 360 degree coverage against sea-skimming missiles. Takanami also has 360 degree coverage but with the less potent Phalanx. The Chinese Type-54A has good coverage with the potentially excellent Type-730s plus a DP gun forward but has a nagging blind spot at the rear that keeps it from top place. Formidable appears the weakest and in purely CIWS that is true, but I think the Singaporeans are placing their faith in the awesome Aster-15 anti-missile missiles.
Conceptually CIWS coverage could be improved on the warships with OTO-Melara 76mm guns by the purchase of guided and advanced fused AAA rounds but there are no reports of the Australian, Taiwanese or Singaporean governments doing so (?)

Anti-Ship

This is going to be a surprising result for many. With its mix of Hsiung-Feng III supersonic long range missiles and Hsiung-Feng II long range dual-guidance subsonic missiles the Taiwanese Cheng Kung class is the clear leader.


Anti-Submarine

The much larger “ASW Destroyer” Takanami class has the distinct advantage in this aspect, carrying ASROC missiles and a very advanced sonar fit.

Overall ranking
This is very difficult. There is no clear-cut across the board winner, but the Takanami is probably the most capable overall. Having said that, it’s much bigger and probably more expensive than the others and is certainly not the best in terms of air-defence or anti-surface warfare.

The much-upgraded Adelaide is certainly very potent but disadvantaged by older sensors and the OHP heritage – the ship itself simply isn’t that modern. The Formidable however is extremely modern and has some very advanced systems and design features. The Type-054A is certainly up there.
If we look at a few other considerations we could easily be persuaded away from the raw weapons stats that put the Takanami up there as the best overall:


In summary then, Takanami has the clear ASW and size advantage, and is probably best overall, but each has certain characteristics that stand out as ‘best in class’ among the selection. The Chinese Type-054A certainly isn’t miles behind the western types in any regard.

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

So, if and when pakistan get the 054--what is it facing? Thanks.

 

[KS]

Hi,

So, if and when pakistan get the 054--what is it facing? Thanks.

Most likely Shivalik class and the Talwar class frigates.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

If we look at a few other considerations we could easily be persuaded away from the raw weapons stats that put the Takanami up there as the best overall:


In summary then, Takanami has the clear ASW and size advantage, and is probably best overall, but each has certain characteristics that stand out as ‘best in class’ among the selection. The Chinese Type-054A certainly isn’t miles behind the western types in any regard.

Nice bit of work done there.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[truthseeker2010]

now that is a real and technical comparison and I hope that our concerned people take a look at this... if they haven't yet!

 

[jagjitnatt]

A really nice comparo up there mate. Appreciate the work put in.

It would have been great if you could add in an Indian frigate, to spice things up. But excellent comparo anyway.

 

[satishkumarcsc]

Hi,

So, if and when pakistan get the 054--what is it facing? Thanks.

 

[Haseebullah]

Hi,

So, if and when pakistan get the 054--what is it facing? Thanks.

Type 054 will take some time probably because the F-22p project just finished and the navy might want to wait a while before making a another large transaction.

But there are chances that we might get the beautiful Type 022(Houbei class).
Those boats are a beaut.

 

[Penguin]

Most likely Shivalik class and the Talwar class frigates.

Both of which a very similar ships in terms of capabilities. I would say Talwar is about a match though less stealthy, while Shivalik has a bit of an edge in ASW while being at least as stealthy. In addition to an inner and outer gun layer, both Talwar and Shivalik have an inner surface to air missile layer. 054A had inner/outer gun layer but only a single SAM layer. But what we can't compare on well - and what is very important - is weapons and sensor integration via a combat management suite.

 

[Ababeel]

Pakistan is lacking because of monitory conditions. It should try to make it up fast to keep the balance of power in South Asia.

 

[Penguin]

As a result of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), the UK will be discommission four Type 22 Batch 3 frigates between January and April 2011. They might make a nice option for PN to acquire. Other potential takers - if any - are most likely South American navies e.g. Brazil, Chile. Additionally, maybe Eastern European countries e.g. bulgaria or Rumania (has two earlier batch ships already).

5,300 tons fld
148.1 m x 14.8 m x 6.4 m
COGOG:
2 Rolls-Royce Spey SM1A boost gas turbines (37,540 shp / 28 MW)
2 Rolls-Royce Tyne RM3C cruise gas turbines (9,700 shp/ 7.2 MW)
Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h (full)) 18 knots (33.3 km/h (cruise))
crew: 250

commissioned 4/1988 - 5/1990 (21-23 years old)
average annual operating costs: 11-13 million pounds sterling

4.5"gun
Goalkeeper 30mm ciws
2 × 20 mm GAM-BO1 guns
2x4 Harpoon
2x sixtuple launcher for Sea Wolf
2x triple torpedo tubes for lightweight ASW torpedoes
1x EH 101 or 2 Sea Lynx