Type 053H1G Jianghu-V Class Missile Frigate
Last updated: 9 October 2007
In order to protect the PRC’s interests in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in the early 1990s, the PLA Navy demanded an urgent construction programme to build six additional Type 053H frigates for its South Sea Fleet. The Guangzhou-based Huangpu Shipyard was contracted to build these ships based on the Type 053H1 Jianghu-II class design. At least two hulls of the class have completed their modernisation refit in 2008.
In order to enhance PRC’s control over the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in the early 1990s, the PLA Navy demanded an urgent construction programme to build an additional six Type 053H frigates for its South Sea Fleet. The Guangzhou-based Huangpu Shipyard was contracted to build these ships using the Type 053H1 Jianghu-II class design. The decision to use the Type 053H1 design instead of the more capable Type 053H2 or Type 053H2G (Jiangwei class) was possibly due to cost saving.
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| Type 053H1G Jianghu-V class before modernisation refit (Chinese Internet) |
The newly-built Type 053H1 frigates were incorporated with improved weapons and sensors, and were designated Type 051H1G to distinguish from the Type 053H1 built in the 1980s. NATO referred to these frigates as Jianghu-V class. The first hull Zigong (558) was launched in 1992 and commissioned in May 1993. The last hull Foshan (563) was commissioned in 1995. All six hulls are operated by the South Sea Fleet.
The Type 063H1G is generally similar to the Type 053H1 in hull design and layout. The frigate initially retained the two triple SY-1 anti-ship missile launchers (equipped with the improved SY-1A missile), but replaced the two original Type 79 dual-100mm main guns with the improved Type 79A, and the four Type 76 dual-37mm AAA guns with the Type 76A.
Improvements in sensors include replacing the Type 354 (Eye Shield) air/surface search radar with the Type 360S. The frigate was also added with a Type 343G (Wasp Head) fire-control radar located on top of the bridge for main gun and AShM targeting and a Type 341 (Rice Lamp) fire-control radar located behind the AShM launcher for the AAA targeting. Other improvements included a Type 517A (Knife Rest) long-range 2D air search radar, ZJK-3A combat data system, an electronic warfare suite (interceptors, RWR, IFF, chaff/flare launchers) and optronic directors.
Type 053H1G 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
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
Guns: 2X Type 79A 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
Modernisation Refit
A recent photo shows that Dongguan (560) and Foshan (563) of the Type 053H1G Jianghu-V class have completed a modernisation refit. The improved weapon package include eight YJ-83 anti-ship missiles (in two groups, each with four launchers) and two PJ33A dual-100mm guns with stealth gun house. The Type 517A (Knife Rest) 2D air-search radar has been removed and replaced by round radome, possibly housing an ECM antenna for jamming.
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| Type 053H1G Dongguan (560) after the modernisation refit (Chinese Internet) |
Specifications (After Modernisation Refit)
Radar (air search): None
Missiles: 8X YJ-83 AShM, two quadruple launchers; active radar homing to 120km at Mach 0.9 Mach, warhead 165kg, turbojet power
Guns: 2X PJ33A automatic dual-100mm/56-calibre main guns, 22km-range; 4X Type 76A automatic dual-37mm AAA, 8.5km range
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