China has reportedly launched three ships this week; delivering the last of the four 054AP Tughril-Class Frigates to Pakistan; the first 071E Landing Platform Dock (LPD) amphibious ship to Thailand and including another 054A Class Frigate to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The ships were launched from China’s Hudong Zhonghua shipyard, located near Shanghai. With the addition of the new frigate, China reportedly owns 34 Type 054A frigates making it the backbone of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
Tughril-Class Frigate To Pakistan
Pakistan had initially signed contract for the delivery of Two Type 054AP frigates in 2017, but eventually signed an additional contract for two more frigates in 2018. The first, second and third ships were launched respectively in August 2020, January 2021 and August 2021. Pakistan commissioned the first frigate named “PNS Tughril” in November last month.
The 054AP Tughril-Class frigate borrows the ship’s weapons and structure from 054A frigate with an additional advanced 3D radar. The frigate boasts of one H/PJ-26 76mm main gun, two 4 CM302 anti-ship missiles, thirty-two VLS cells for HQ-16 surface to air missiles, two Type 730 30mm CIWS and two Triple Torpedo launchers. Apart from the weapons onboard, the frigate is said to be equipped with a SR2410C 3D multifunction ESA (Electronically Scanned Array) radar and a long range / metric wave radar.
Type 071E LPD Amphibious Ship To Thailand
With the capability to carry 800 marines (1 battalion) and some 20 amphibious vehicles, China delivered the first 071E Landing Platform Dock (LPD) amphibious ship to the Royal Thai Navy. While China currently owns six of these ships, Thailand is reportedly the first export customer for this warship.
Analyst Questions Lack Of Expertise
Song Zhongping, a Hong Kong-based military analyst, recently pointed that China needed to fill the skill gap, with more experts and highly skilled personnel to operate the country’s expanding naval force. “A big challenge for the Chinese navy in fulfilling these responsibilities is a lack of naval talent.” Song added, “The Chinese navy has to train more personnel who are capable of long-distance deep-water missions. It takes highly skilled service personnel to make the most of the warships and advanced weapons.”
