Type 053H2 (Jianghu-III Class) Missile Frigate

The Type 053H2 (NATO reporting name: Jianghu-III class) was a modernised variant of the Type 053H, with a total of seven hulls constructed by Shanghai-based Hudong Shipyard between 1985 and 1993. Three hulls (1st, 2nd, and 7th) were commissioned by the PLA Navy, while the rest four hulls (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th) were sold to the Royal Thai Navy. The Type 053H2 was the most modernised variant of the Jianghu family.

Programme

The Type 053H2 project was initialised in 1981, with the building contract signed between PLA Navy and China National Shipbuilding Co. (CNSC) in November 1983. Construction of the first-of-class Huangshi (535) began in April 1984. The ship was launched in October 1985 and commissioned by the PLA Navy East Set Fleet in December 1986. The second hull Wuhu (536) was launched in 1987 and commissioned in February 1988. This was followed by another four hulls built for the Royal Thai Navy (Chinese-made hull fitted with Western-made weapons and sensors). The last hull Cangzhou (537) was delivered to the PLA Navy in 1993.

The Type 053H2 was the first PRC-built surface combatant to have been incorporated with modern Western design influence. The frigate’s electronic systems were much more sophisticated compared to those of previous PRC-built warships. In tread of relying on voice commands, a combat data system (British CTC-1629/Chinese ZKJ-3A) was installed to connect various weapon and sensors onboard to form an integrated system. The frigate also featured an electronic warfare suite consisting of interceptors, radar warning receivers, IFF, and U.S.-made chaff/decoy rocket launchers.

Previously, living conditions for the crew was given a low priority in PRC’s warship design. The living quarters and support equipments were reduced to bare minimum in order to give valuable space for weapon equipments. The ship crews were asked to rely on their spiritual power and bravery to overcome the poor living condition during their operations. The Type 053H2 was the first PRC-made surface combatant to bear crew living condition in mind from the design stage. The vessel featured airtight cabins, central air condition, and collective NBC protection.

Weapons

The Type 053H2 was the first major surface combatant to be equipped with the YJ-8 (C-801, NATO reporting name: CSS-N-4 Sardine) sea-skimming anti-ship missile. The frigate has eight box-shape launchers (in four groups, each with 2 launchers) installed in the mid-ship position. The missile uses active radar homing and is powered by a solid rocket engine with a solid rocket booster. The missile has a range of 40km and approaches the target in sea skimming mode at a speed of Mach 0.9. The 165kg shaped charge warhead has time delayed impact proximity fuses.

The seventh hull Zhoushan (537) was fitted with the modified YJ-8A (C-801A) anti-ship missile, which has an extended range of 80km. The first hull Huangshi (535) has received a modersniation refit to be equipped with eight YJ-8A missile (in two groups, each with four launchers).

The frigate's main guns installed on the bow and stern deck are the Type 79A dual-100mm/56-calibre gun, which fires 15kg rounds at a rate of 18 rounds/min. The range of the gun is more than 22km against surface targets. Four Type 76 dual-37 mm/63-calibre AAA guns fire shells at a rate of 400 rounds/min to a range of 9.4km for airborne targets.

Two Type 81 5-tubed 250mm multiple ASW rocket launchers were installed on the bow deck with 30 rockets. For depth charges (DC), the ship was fitted with four Type 64 DC projectors and two DC racks at the stern.

Electronic Systems

The Type 053H2 has a Type 354 ‘Eye Shield’ (I-band) 2D air/surface search radar, a Type 352 ‘Square Tie’ (E/F-band) fire-control radar for surface search and SSM targeting, a Type 341 (I-band) fire-control radar for 100mm gun targeting, a Type 343 fire-control radar (I-band) for AAA targeting, and two sets of the Type 752 or Racal Decca RM-1226 navigation radar.

The electronic warfare suite include a RWD-8 'Jug Pair' intercept, a Type 923-I radar warning receiver, Type 651A IFF, and two U.S. Mk-36 SRBOC 6-barrel chaff/decoy rocket launchers (some hulls).

The vessel has a SJD-5 medium-frequency hull-mounted sonar installed for active search and attack, a SJC-1B reconnaissance sonar, and a SJX-4 communications sonar.

Propulsions

The frigate is powered by two 12E390VA diesels rated at 16,000hp (17.6kW). Two shafts drive propellers. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 26.5 knots.

Shiplist

Specifications

Displacement: (Full load) 1,960t
Dimensions: Length 103.2m; Beam 11.3m, Draft 3.19m
Speed: 26.5 knots
Crew: 190~200

Last update: 9 October 2007