Type 053H1G (Jianghu-V Class) Missile Frigate

The six Type 053H1G missile frigates, currently operational with the PLA South Sea Fleet, were built by the Guangzhou-based Huangpu Shipyard in the early 1990s under an emergency construction programme in response to the worsening situation in the South China Sea. These vessels are currently undergoing a modernisation refit to replace their weapon systems with newer and more advanced designs. At least two hulls (560, 563) have completed their modernisation refit in 2008.

Referred to by the NATO as the Jianghu-V class, the Type 053H1G was generally based on the hull design of the Type 053H1 (Jianghu-II Class) originally introduced in the early 1980s, but with improved weapon systems and better living conditions for its crew. The first hull Zigong (558) was launched in 1992 and commissioned in May 1993. The last hull Foshan (563) was commissioned in 1995.

Missiles

The primary surface strike weapon system is the ShangYou-1 (SY-1) anti-ship missile. Two rotatable triple launchers are installed at the mid-ship position. The missile uses monopulse active radar homing to deliver a 513kg warhead to a range of 40km.

The ongoing modernisation refit of the Type 053H1G replaces the SY-1 missiles with eight YingJi-83 (YJ-83) anti-ship cruise missiles. Two quadruple launchers are installed at the mid-ship position. The missile uses active radar-homing to deliver a 165kg warhead to a range in excess of 180km.

Guns

The frigate is fitted with two Type 79 dual-barrel 100mm/56-calibre guns (one front, one rear). The gun is capable of firing 15kg shells at a rate of 18 rounds per minute to a range of 22km. Following the recent modernisation refit, they are replaced by two improved PJ-33A dual-100mm guns with radar cross section reduction features.

For air defence the frigate is equipped with four Type 76A dual-37mm anti-aircraft artillery guns, capable of firing 1.42kg shells at a rate of 180 rounds per minute to a range of 8.5km against airborne targets.

There are two Type 87 six-tube anti-submarine rocket launchers installed on the bow deck, with 36 rockets (240mm calibre, 34kg warhead). The maximum range is 1,200m. On the stern deck there are four depth charge projectors and two depth charge racks.

Sensors

Air/surface search is provided by a Type 360 2D radar mounted on top of the main mask. The radar operates at E/F-band, with a maximum range of 150km to aircraft and 50km to sea-skimming missile. There is also a Type 517H (Knife Rest) radar working at A-band to provide long-range air surveillance and early warning, but this was removed and replaced by a datalink antenna after the modernisation refit.

The frigate is equipped with a single aft Type 341 (Rice Lamp, I/J-band) for the four dual-37mm AAA guns and a Type 343G (Wasp Head, I/J-band) for the SY-1 SSM and the dual-100mm main guns. The frigate has an electro-optial tracker in case of electronic jamming of the gun radar.

For navigation, the frigate has two RM-1290 (Racal Decca 1290) navigation radars located on the foremast yardarms.

The frigate is equipped with an SJD-5 hull-mounted MF sonar, an SJC-1B reconnaissance sonar, and an SJX-4 communication sonar.

Propulsion

The frigate is powered by two 12E390VA diesel engines rated at 16,000hp (2X 8,000hp), with four 16PA6V280BTC diesel generators and two shafts.

Shiplist

Specifications

Dimensions: Length 103.22 m; Beam 10.8m, Draft 3.05m
Propulsion: 2X 12E390VA diesel engines rated at 16,000hp (2X 8,000hp); 4X 16PA6V280BTC diesel generators, two shaft
Speed: Maximum 25.6 knots; economic 18 knots
Crew: 200 (30 officers)
Self-sustaining capability: 15 days/nights
Radar (surface search): Type 360S 2D air/surface search, E/F-band
Radar (air search): Type 517A (Knife Rest), A-Band (removed after modernisation refit and replaced by a datalink)
Radar (fire-control):
Type 343G (Wasp Head or Wok Won), 100mm gun and AShM targeting; I/J-band;
Type 341 (Rice Lamp), 37mm AAA targeting, I-band
Radar (navigation): Racal Decca RM-1290
Sonar: SJD-5 hull-mounted MF; SJC-1B reconnaissance sonar; SJX-4 communication sonar
Weapon controls: Optronic directors (main gun targeting)
ECM/EW: Type 651A IFF
Command & control: ZJK-3A combat intelligence centre
Communications: VHF radio, SATCOM
Missiles: 6X SY-1 SSMs, two triple launchers; active radar homing to 35km at 0.8 Mach, warhead 513kg, liquid fuel, or (after modernisation refit) 8X YJ-83 AShM, two quadruple launchers; active radar homing to 120km at Mach 0.9 Mach, warhead 165kg, turbojet power
Guns: 2X Type 79A (or PJ33A after modernisation refit) automatic dual-100mm/56-calibre main guns, 22km-range; 4X Type 76A automatic dual-37mm AAA, 8.5km range
Anti-submarine: 2X Type 3200 6-barrel anti-submarine rocket launcher; 4X DC projectors; 2X DC rack

Last update: 28 February 2009