The renewal and expansion plans for the surface fleet of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) have reached a new milestone. This was evident during the commissioning ceremony and the entry into service of the first of the new Type 054B stealth frigates. The event took place at the port of Qingdao, Shandong Province, home to the North Sea Fleet (also referred to as the “Northern Theater Command Navy“).
The addition of this new vessel, named Luòhé (545), represents a significant step forward in the modernization of China’s naval capabilities. As of today, the Type 054A class remains one of the backbones of the PLAN’s escort fleet, tasked with missions ranging from task group protection to coastal patrol and surveillance operations.

According to the design doctrine of the People’s Republic of China, the base design of the Type 054A frigates has undergone modifications to integrate new capabilities. Local media have noted that the new Type 054B incorporates technologies previously applied to the advanced Type 055 destroyers.
Built by the Huangpu-Wenchong shipyard in Guangzhou, Luòhé is the first unit of the new Type 054B class. It was launched in August 2023 to advance to the next phase of work on its superstructure. Subsequently, as reported by Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), the frigate began its port and sea trials in late January 2024. These trials continued throughout the year, aiming to finalize its delivery to the Chinese Navy.




Throughout its construction, there was speculation that the frigate’s displacement would be around 6,000 tons. However, with the recent commissioning of Luòhé, it has been officially confirmed that its displacement reaches 5,000 tons. While this figure is lower than initial estimates, it surpasses the displacement of the Type 054A frigates, which have a full-load displacement of nearly 4,000 tons.
This increase in tonnage reflects the larger dimensions of the vessel, allowing for expanded combat capabilities. One of the frigate’s standout features is the inclusion of a new S-band AESA radar, a 32-cell vertical launch missile system (VLS), the ability to fire YJ-12 supersonic missiles, and a 100mm naval gun.
Looking ahead, with the commissioning of the first Type 054B frigate and reports indicating the ongoing construction of a second unit, it is likely that, similar to the Type 054A class, the Chinese Navy will place additional orders for more units in the future.


This is a significant development considering the ongoing expansion of the Asian giant’s Surface Fleet, marked by the addition of new capital ships with greater displacement. Notable examples include the Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier and its successors, as well as the current Type 075 amphibious assault ships and the more advanced Type 076, equipped with an electromagnetic catapult. Looking to the future, these vessels, either individually or collectively, are expected to form the core of Carrier Strike and Task Groups. They would be deployed both for the defense of China’s maritime coastline and in operations within the Western Pacific and other regions of the Indo-Pacific.
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