Type 053 frigate

Jianghu class (Type 053H) is the NATO code-name for several types of frigates, currently in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). In the PLAN, the Jianghu-class is part of the Type 053-series frigate family. The early variants are small and obsolete, and now primarily used for coastal duty. The latest version is exported as F-22 (Frigate-22). The Type 053 Frigate has been exported to Egypt (2), Bangladesh (2), Thailand (4), and Pakistan has signed agreement to purchase 4 F-22P frigates in May 2006. [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060524/world.htm#2]

The use of NATO code-name vs. PLAN ship type is often confusing. For purpose of clarification, this article will briefly discuss all versions of the Type 053 frigates.

History

In the 1950s, the Soviets provided China with four Riga-class frigates (Jinan-class) and four Gnevny-class (Anshan-class) destroyers. These ships formed the back-bone of the PLAN in 1950s and 1960s. After the Sino-Soviet split, China was unable to obtain additional ships from the Soviet Union, and the No. 701 Institute was put in charge of reverse-engineering the Riga (Chengdu) class destroyer. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/navy.htm]

The first Riga-copy ship was built by Guangzhou shipyard in 1963. There is some confusion on the Type number assigned to this ship. Some sources claim that it was designated Type 065 (Jinan-class) from the year that it entered service (1965), others claim that this was actually the first Type 035 Frigate.

In 1960s, the No. 701 Institute worked on two new types of frigate, based on the Riga frame. The first type is for air-defense, and became the Type 053K (Jiangdong-class) laid down in 1970 & commissioned in 1977. The Type 053K was armed with 2 HQ-61B SAM twin-arm launchers, similar to the USN RIM-2 Terrier SAM on the Mk 10 twin-arm launcher. Only 2 Type 053K ships (#531, #532) were built, possibly due to unsatisfactory performance. The HQ-61B SAM system did not enter service until mid 1980s. Both ships were withdrawn from service in 1992, 1 was scrapped in 1994 and the other is preserved as museum ship. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/jiangdong.htm] [http://knows.jongo.com/res/article/10300] [http://1895-1945.i.tiexue.net/blog/post_2109161_1.html]

The second type was for a guided missile frigate, which became the Type 053H (Jianghu-I class) frigate. It was armed with 6 SY-1 anti-ship missiles (in 2 x triple launcher boxes) and a single 100 mm gun. This version was intended for anti-shipping role, using its anti-ship missiles as the primary offensive weapons. The first Type 053H was built by Hudong Shipyard, and entered service in mid 1970s. At least a dozen Type 053H frigates were built for service with the PLAN East Sea Fleet. [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/jianghu1_2_4.asp]

Since then, China has built several improved (and larger) versions of the Type 053H frigate, receiving NATO designation of Jianghu-II, Jianghu-III, and Jianghu-V. When the PLAN introduced its successor to the Type 053H, the Type 053H2 multi-role missile frigate, it received the NATO designation of Jiangwei-class. [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/jiangwei.asp] The Jiangwei class is probably the last of the Type 053-series ships. The newest frigate in PLAN service is now the Type 054 Jiangkai (Ma'Anshan) class. [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/maanshan054.asp]

Foreign sales

The 053-series frigates is China's most successful export warship. To date, one 053H1 was sold to Bangladesh, two to Egypt, and four 053T/053HT were sold to Thailand. Customer assessments of these ships were generally poor. The 053H1 (Jianghu I) ships sold to Bangladesh and Egypt were used and had equipment problems. The stabilizers didn't work, the ship either did not have air conditioning, or those equipped with air conditioning had to used sparingly to save the generators. The 100 mm gun was hand-loaded and did not have a working fire-control radar. The SSM's were Chinese copies of the Soviet Styx missile, which was obsolete.

When Thailand ordered four new 053 frigates in 1990, China built them to the (then) latest 053H2 (Jianghu III) standard. Two were modified with helicopter decks in the back. Although the price was excellent (2 billion baht each, compared to 8 billion baht for western ships), the Thai Navy complained of quality issues. The interior wiring was exposed and had to be re-wired. The ship's battle damage control system was very limited, with poor quality fire-suppression system and water-tight locks. It's said that if the ship's hull was breached, rapid flooding would lead to loss of ship. The Thai Navy had to spent considerable time and effort to correct some of these issues. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/thailand/naresuan.htm]

The harsh criticisms lead to many improvements in China's shipbuilding industry. By the mid-1990s, the Thai Navy was confident enough to order two enlarged 053 hulls (F25T), to be fitted with western engines and weapon systems. Technical advisers from the German ship building industry were employed to supervise the F25T construction. [http://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/ws/ws11485.htm] The Pakistani navy is also ordering four F-22P frigates, to be delivered from 2009 to 2012. The first three will be built at the Hudong shipyard, with the four built at Pakistan's Karachi shipyard. [http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=10523]

Transfer to Coast Guard Service

In March 2007 it was reported that 2 Jianghu FFG's were transferred to the Chinese Coast Guard service, most likely ship #509 and #510. They were re-numbered Coast Guard/Police vessel #1002 and 1003. [http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html]

In June 2007 photos of Coast Guard #1002 (ex-PLAN #509) showed the ship had been refitted for its new duties. The original weapon systems have all been removed. Heavy machine-guns have been mounted in place of the 37mm AAA. The forward 100m gun has been replaced by what appears to be a cannon of smaller caliber. The aft 100m gun was removed and replaced with a deck and crane for 2 small patrol boats. The SY-1 SSM's were moved and replaced with additional crew quarters and deck space. [http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html]

Versions

* Type 053/Type 6601/Type 065 (Jinan-class): Based on the Soviet Riga class frigate, armed with 3 x 100 mm guns and 4 x twin 37 mm AA guns. Completely retired from the active service in 1980s. However, most remain on PLAN's list, serving as training ships for patriotic education and public relations duties, and although these ships are docked at the naval museums, the funding for them comes directly from PLAN. These ships came in 3 batches:
** Batch I: Jinan-class (Type 053): Original Chinese copy of Riga-class with a mixed Soviet supplied & domestic made parts.
** Batch II: Chengdu-class (Type 6601): Chinese built Riga-class with torpedo tubes replaced by a Chinese built Styx anti-shipping missile twin launcher. These ships were originally completed as Riga-class and the conversion was completed in the early 1970's.
** Batch III: Jiangnan-class (Type 065): design first started in Dec 1962 by the 701st Institute at Wuhan, and the construction begun in Aug 1964, with the first ship entering service on Aug 1, 1966. Very similar to Riga-class except, due to the use of overtuned civil marine diesel engines rather than the more compact military grade steam turbines that they were unable to produce, the arrangement of the main guns: instead of having 2 in front and 1 aft like that of Riga-class, there are 1 in front and 2 aft for Jiangnan-class. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/jiangnan.htm]

* Type 053K (Jiangdong-class): Air-defense frigate, armed with 2 [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/hq61.asp HQ-61 SAM] twin-arm launchers, 2 x twin 3.9" (100 mm) guns, and 2-4 x twin 37 mm AA guns. Although retired from the active duty in early 1990s, these ships remain on the PLAN's list and are stilled owned by PLAN via PLAN funded naval museum at Qingdao, where # 531 Yingtan is docked, serving as a training ship for patriotic education and public relations duties.

* Type 053H (Jianghu-I class): Anti-ship frigate, armed with 6 x [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/sy1.asp SY-1] anti-ship missiles in 2 triple launch boxes, 2 x 100 mm gun, 4 x dual 37 mm AA guns, plua ASW mortars and depth charge (DC) racks. About a dozen are in service with PLAN East Sea Fleet. [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/jianghu1_2_4.asp]

* Type 053H1 (Jianghu-II class): Improved 053H frigate with new radar, sonar, engine, and replenishment equipment. Armed with 2 x [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/sy2.asp SY-2] SSM box launchers, 2 x dual 100 mm guns, 4 x dual 37 mm AA guns, plus ASW rockets and DC racks. Some 37 mm AA gun mounts may have PL-9C SAM's added. 8 are in service today.

* Type 053HT-H (Jianghu-IV class): Prototype 053H frigate with aft deck weapons removed, and replaced with helicopter deck for Z-9 helicopter. Armed with 1 x SY-1 SSM triple-box launcher, 1 x French-made compact 100 mm gun, and 2 x twin 37 mm AA guns. Only one ship was built (544 Siping) for the PLAN North Sea Fleet.

* Type 053H2 (Jianghu-III class): Major re-design of the (enlarged) 053 hull, considered the first "modern" Chinese frigate with airtight cabins, central air condition, NBC protection, & integrated combat system (British CTC-1629/Chinese ZKJ-3A). This version shows European design influence, and is armed with 8 x [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/yj8.asp YJ-8 (C-801)] or [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/yj8.asp YJ-82 (C-802)] box launchers, 2 x Type 79A dual-100 mm gun, 4 x Type 76 dual-37 mm AA guns, 2 x Type 81 5-tube ASW rocket launchers, and 4 x Type 64 depth charge projectors. 3 ships are in service with the East Sea Fleet, [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/jianghu3.asp]

* Type 053H1G (Jianghu-V class): In the 1990s, the South Sea Fleet urgently needed more ships, and the Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou was contracted to build 6 low-cost frigates based on the 053H1 design. The 053H1G incorporated many of the improvements found in the 053H2 (Jianghu-III), including air-tight cabins, central air conditioning, NBC protection, & integrated combat system. However the 051H1G was equipped with inferior 2 x triple [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/sy1.asp SY-1A] SSM launchers, instead of YJ-8 or YJ-82. The 053H1G (Jianghu-V) can be considered inferior to the 052H2 (Jianghu-III) in combat capability. [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/jianghu5.asp]

* Type 053H2G (Jiangwei-I class): Air-defense version of the 053H2 (Jianghu-III) built in 1988-1993, and received the NATO designation of Jiangwei class frigate. Armed with 2 x 3-cel YJ-8 (C-801) launchers and 1 x 6-cel [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/hq61.asp HQ-61B SAM] system. The HQ-61B SAM provided limited short-range fleet air defense capability. 4 ships are currently in service with the East Sea Fleet. The HQ-61 SAM was later replaced by HQ-7 during modernization, and some sources claim the modernized version is also called Type 055. [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/jiangwei.asp]

* Type 053H3 (Jiangwei-II class): Improved version of 053H2G (Jiangwei-I), armed with 2 x 4-cell [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/yj8.asp YJ-83 (C-803)] launchers and 1 x 8-cell HQ-7 SAM. The HQ-7 is a Chinese copy of the French Thomson CSF R-440 Sea Crotale, with speed of Mach 2.4 and range of 13 km. The most obvious visual distinction between Jiangwei I & II is that the aft AAA mounts are elevated in Jiangwei II. Jiangwei II class was briefly equipped with HQ-61B SAM system before being replaced by HQ-7 during upgrade, and some sources claim that the upgraded version is also called Type 057. [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/hq7naval.asp] 10 ships of this class are in service today.

General characteristics

053K (Jiangdong class, retired)

* Displacement - 1,674 tons empty, 1,924 tons full
* Length - 103 m
* Beam - 10.8 m
* Draft - 3.1 m
* Propulsion - 2 x 14,000 hp diesels
* Speed - 26 knots
* Compliment - 200
* Armaments:
** 2 x twin 100 mm gun (22 km range)
** 2-4 x twin 37mm AAA (8.5 km range)
** 2 x twin HQ-61B SAM (10 km range)
** 2 x Type 62, 5-tube ASW RL (1.2 km range)
** DC rack

053H (Jianghu-I)

* Displacement - 1,425 tons (empty), 1,702 tons (full load)
* Length - 103.2 m
* Beam - 10.8 m
* Draft - 3.05 m
* Propulsion - 2 shaft, 2 x 12E390VA diesel engines (8,0000 hp each), 4 x SEMT Pielstick 16PA6V280BTC diesel generators, license-built by Shannxi Diesel Engine Works.
* Speed - 26 knots
* Complement - 190
* RADAR, Sonar, & EW:
** Type 354 Radar (Eye Shield) 2D air/surface search
** Type 352 Radar (Square Tie)
** G/H-band radar for SSM and 100 mm gun targeting
** EH-5 hull-mounted MF sonar
** Jug Pair intercept ECM/EW system
** ZKJ-3 combat data system (with reported speed of 1 Mbit/s) in some units
** Data link: HN-900 (Chinese equivalent of Link 11A/B, to be upgraded)
** Communication: SNTI-240 SATCOM
* Armaments:
** 6 x SY-1 SSM's in 2 x triple box launchers
** 2 x 100 mm gun
** 4 x dual 37 mm AA guns
** 2 x Type 81 (RBU-1200) 5-tube ASW RL (30 rockets), or 2 x Type 3200 6-tube ASW RL (36 rockets)
** 2 x Type 62 5-tube A/S mortar launchers
** 2 x Dept Charge (DC) racks & DC projector

053H2 (Jianghu-III)

* Displacement - 1,565 tons (empty), 1,960 tons (full load)
* Length - 103.2 m
* Beam - 11.3 m
* Draft - 3.19 m
* Propulsion - 2 shaft, 2 x 12E390VA diesels @ 1600 hp (17.6 kW)
* Speed - 26.5 knots
* Complement - 190-200
* RADAR
** Type 354 Radar (Eye Shield) 2D air/surface search, I-band
** Type 517H-1 (Knife Rest) 2D long-range air search, A-band
** Type 352 Radar (Square Tie) surface search fire-control, I-band
** Type 343 (Wasp Head) fire control radar, G/H-band
** 2 x Type 341 fire control radar for dual 37 mm AA gun
** 2 x Racal RM-1290 navigation radars, I-band
* Sonar
** SJD-5 medium-frequency sonar
** SJC-1B reconnaissance sonar
** SJX-4 communications sonar
* C3I & EW
** CTC-1629 combat data system (or Chinese copy ZKJ-3A)
** Data link: HN-900 (Chinese equivalent of Link 11A/B, to be upgraded)
** Communication: SNTI-240 SATCOM
** RWD-8 (Jug Pair) intercept EW suite
** Type 9230I radar warning receiver
** Type 651A IFF
** 2 x Mk-36RBOC 6-barrel decoy rocket launchers
* Armaments
** 8 x YJ-8 (C-801) or YJ-82 (C-802) SSM
** 2 x Type 79A dual-100 mm gun
** 4 x Type 76 dual-37 mm AA guns
** 2 x 5-tube Type 81 ASW rocket launcher (30 rounds)
** 4 x Type 64 DC projectors
** 2 x DC racks

Jiangwei I/II

"Main article: Jiangwei class frigate"

hips

054H (Jianghu-I)

* 509 Changde (transferred to Coast Guard #1002)
* 510 Shaoxing (transferred to Coast Guard #1003)
* 511 Nantong
* 512 Wuxi
* 513 Huaiyin
* 514 Zhenjiang
* 515 Xiamen
* 516 Jiujiang
* 517 Nanping
* 518 Ji'an
* 519 Changzhi
* 520 Kaifeng (scrapped?)
* 551 Maoming
* 552 Yibin

053H1 (Jianghu-II)

* 533 Ningbo
* 534 Jinhua
* 543 Dandong
* 545 Linfen
* 553 Shaoguan
* 554 Anshun
* 555 Zhaodong
* 557 Jishou

053HT-H (Jianghu-IV)

* 544 Siping

053H2 (Jianghu-III)

* 535 Huangshi
* 536 Wuhu
* 537 Cangzhou (ex-Zhoushan)

053H1G (Jianghu-V)

* 558 Zigong
* 559 Beihai
* 560 Dongguan
* 561 Shantou
* 562 Jiangmen
* 563 Foshan

ervice with other navies

* Bangladesh Navy [http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/asiapac/bangl.htm#surf]
** F18 Osman (053H1): ex-PLAN #556 Xiangtan, sold to Bangladesh in 1989.

* Egyptian Navy [http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/africa/egypt.htm#1]
** 951 Najim al-Zafir (053H1): ex-PLAN #538
** 956 Al-Nasser (053H1): ex-PLAN #546

* Royal Thai Navy [http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/asiapac/thailand.htm#2]
** 455 HTMS Chao Praya (053T): Based on the Type 053H2 (Jianghu III), built for export in 1991 as 053T (T = Thailand).
** 456 HTMS Bangpakong (053T): Same as above
** 457 HTMS Kraburi (053HT): Improved 053HT-H design, built in 1992 for export. Helicopter deck + YJ-81 (C-801) SSM's.
** 458 HTMS Saiburi (053HT): Same as above.

Naming Conventions

Then naming of the Type 053/Type 6601/Type 065 Jinan-class frigates reflects the political turmoil in China. The PRC originally named its large surface ships after the geographical areas of China, but this practice was abolished when the Cultural Revolution started, and hence, most of the Batch III Jiangnan-class was not named, and those already named had their name dropped and only referenced by numbers.

When the naming practice was resumed in the latter half of the 1980's, these ships were already near their decommission, so the major geographical names were used for newer and larger ships. For example, Jinan was used to name one of the Luda class destroyers. As a result, when Type 053/Type 6601/Type 065 frigates received their names (despite the fact that they were to be decommissioned soon), for those frigates that had been previously named in the 1950's and the first half of the 1960's, none of them received the same name again.

External links

* [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/default.asp Sino Defense Today]