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The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has commissioned the Ningde, setting a new milestone for China’s naval industry and formally bringing the 46th Type 054A guided-missile frigate into service with its escort fleet in this class. The commissioning comes as the force also moves forward with the introduction of its first Type 054B stealth frigates.
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The new Type 054A frigate Ningde
State television has released footage of the Ningde during combat-focused training drills. The vessel bears pennant number 510, previously carried by a Type 056 corvette of the same name that remained in service for roughly a decade.
Assigned to a frigate flotilla under the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command, the Ningde took part in a task group alongside other ships. The exercise covered command coordination, emergency response and training intended to speed up its operational readiness.
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During the manoeuvres, the crew reacted to simulated threats from both the sea and the air. Radar systems detected the targets, weapon systems were given engagement orders, and the main and secondary guns fired in sequence.
The training programme also covered replenishment at sea, helicopter operations and damage-control drills. These activities made it possible to assess the frigate’s various functions during extended operations and in changing sea conditions.
Type 054A class capabilities
Chinese military affairs specialist Zhang Junshe told the Global Times that continued Type 054A production has helped meet part of the requirements for coastal and open-ocean combat. According to Zhang, serial production has also lowered procurement and maintenance costs while making it easier to standardise training, logistics and command systems.
The Type 054A is fitted with three-dimensional radar, radar for low-altitude coverage and a towed-array sonar. These systems can create a detection network across the maritime, air and underwater domains, while its range of up to 4,000 nautical miles supports lengthy open-ocean missions.
China’s navy is continuing to upgrade the class despite the development of the Type 054B. An updated Type 054A variant, unveiled in January 2026, features an enlarged flight deck for new embarked helicopters, a 100-millimetre main gun, and improvements to the range and accuracy of its radars.
The Type 054B as successor
The Type 054B represents the next evolution of this frigate family and began entering Chinese naval service in 2025. The first vessel, the Luohe (545), entered service on 22 January that year, while the second, the Qinzhou (555), was commissioned in March.
The new class displaces around 5,000 tonnes and features an updated propulsion system, stealth design, an integrated mast and a multi-purpose vertical launch system (VLS). Later vessels are also expected to receive a 48-cell configuration, compared with the 32 cells initially fitted to the first two frigates.
According to Zhang Junshe, the two classes fulfil complementary roles within China’s naval structure. The Type 054B is primarily intended for higher-intensity escort and combat operations in open waters, whereas the Type 054A retains roles in coastal defence, patrols, anti-submarine warfare and escort duties.
Continued Type 054A production therefore reflects the need for a large number of platforms for coastal and open-ocean missions. At the same time, the Type 054B enables the introduction of new technologies and the gradual assumption of longer-range missions, with both classes operating in a complementary manner.
Image credits to their respective owners.
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