Jiangwei-II Type 057 / Type 053H3
Three years after the launch of the last Jiangwei [542 Tongling], Hudong Shipyard started construction of the improved Jiangwei II in 1996. The new Type 057 Jiangwei-II are generally similar to the original Jiangwei in size and arrangement. They have upgraded radar and fire control systems, a pair of quadruple YJ-8II SSM systems (compared to the original pair of triple launchers), and an octuple HQ-7 SAM system. Despite these major improvements over existing ships, they lack vertical-launch system air defense missiles, which places them in a vulnerable position. The Jiangwei II, which featured a Chinese-built copy of the original Jiangwei’s French-built AAW missile system, was un-successful.
At least five Type 057 frigates were constructed at Hudong Shipyard. According to some reports, the first two may have entered service by the end of 1999, with at least three more Jiangwei-II units under construction at that time. Other sources suggest that as of late 1999 the first vessel (521) was undergoing sea trials, while the second (522) had yet to be launched. By May 2000 it appeared that the fourth Shanghai-built Jiangwei-II class had been delivered to the East Sea Fleet. The construction of the Jiangwei-II-class frigates expanded to a second yard, Huangpu Shipyard at Guangzhou [Canton] in southern China, with at least two of the class said to be building by early 2001. By May 2003 the PRC had commissioned three, launched a fourth, and had as many as six more under construction with others possibly planned.
As of May 2004 two additional units (527 & 528) were being built in Shanghai and Guangzhou, with 528 launched on 30 May 2004. These are believed to be a stop-gap until the new Type 054A FFGs enter construction.
At least one if not as many as four of these ships were laid down for Pakistan's Navy to replace four US warships. Purchase of four of the ships was deferred in 1995 due to economic and diplomatic problems. The first unit was reportedly built for Pakistani Navy (numbered 597), but when budgetary constraints terminated the deal the ship was later renumbered as 521.
The F22-P [P for Pakistan] class frigates are the export version of the Jiangwei-II Type 053H2, built by China between 1996 and 2005. The Chinese version carries a pair of quadruple YJ-8II SSM systems and an octuple HQ-7 SAM system. While the hull and the main machinery of the Pakistani ships are expected to be the same as China's, the command-and-control systems, the weapons, and the sensors were specially modified to Pakistan’s requirements. The ships were equipped with Pakistan's existing inventory of naval weapons: French Exocet, Chinese C-802, and US Harpoon Missiles. The F-22s will also had better ASW capability than the ex-Leanders.
The C28A [A for Algeria] is a frigate that has been successfully exported to Algeria after the F22P model. This model first saw the whole picture in 2014. The design tends to be more 053H3 type, but the large-scale redesign has not been carried out before. The high-performance frigate is outstanding, but according to official reports, the C28A missile frigate is the first in the country to adopt the British Lloyd's Register of Military Ships on the military and ships, using a series of new technologies and new world-class technologies. Equipment, excellent overall performance. It can be said that the smooth delivery of the three ships of this class has pushed China's foreign trade main warships to a new height.
The C28A-class corvette, was designed by the Marine Design and Research Institute under China State Shipbuilding Corp. In 2011, it defeated 10 competitors from eight countries for the Algerian Navy contract for three corvettes. The first C28A was delivered in September 2015 and the second in January 2016.
The C28A-class corvette represents the highest technological level of China's export warship, China Ship News quoted shipbuilding sources as saying in July 2016 that it has the best combat capability and is very competitive on the international market. With a displacement of 3,000 metric tons, the 120-meter-long corvette can conduct offshore defense operations and long-distance combat tasks. It is larger than previous warships China has sold to foreign nations, has new equipment, a stealth design and a higher level of automation. It has a cruise speed of about 30 km/h and an operational range of nearly 10,000 km.
Wu Qiang, general manager of China State Shipbuilding Corp, the parent company of the Hudong-Zhonghua, told China National Radio at the commissioning ceremony that the ship is a symbol of China's achievement. "In the past, naval ships we sold to other countries mostly used foreign-developed weapons, but all of the weapons and radar installed on three C28As, including anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, torpedoes and naval guns, are domestically developed," he said. "The results of these C28A ships' tests are very satisfactory, and our clients are happy with their performance."
Ren Yi, chief designer of the C28A, was quoted by China Central Television as saying that the ship can perform reconnaissance, aircraft and missile defense, anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, as well as maritime humanitarian missions. Gao Zhuo, a military observer in Beijing, told China Daily that China's new-generation naval vessels are reliable, have outstanding combat capabilities and are attractive in terms of price and operational costs, making them good choices for developing nations.
With a new anti-aircraft missile system and a new type of close-in weapon system, an upgraded Type 053H3 frigate participated in naval exercises in early 2020, and analysts expect it to become a powerful addition to China's offshore defense force. The Type 053H3 frigate, which underwent a midlife modernization program, was seen for the first time after the upgrade participating in a real combat scenario exercise in an official report, Weihutang, a column on military affairs affiliated with China Central Television, reported on 04 march 2020.
The official report Weihutang said that the Type 053H3 frigate had replaced its old HHQ-7 short-range surface-to-air missile with the more advanced HHQ-10 anti-aircraft missile system, identifiable through video. It is also equipped with a new type of close-in weapon system, believed to be developed from the Russian AK-630 naval close-in weapon system based on a six-barreled 30 mm rotary cannon, Weihutang said. After the midlife modernization program, the Type 053H3 has become significantly more powerful, Weihutang said, noting that the fact it is still equipped with short-range weapons means the ship is more likely to conduct offshore defense missions, partnering the more advanced but smaller Type 056 corvette.
Having entered naval service about 20 years ago, the original Type 053H3 frigates are becoming obsolete at a time when China has developed the newer Type 054 frigate and Type 056 corvette, a military expert who asked not to be named told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that a midlife modernization was a move to make the best out of the ships' remaining potential.
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