TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – China's navy has officially commissioned a new-generation frigate amid rising competition with the United States and other regional powers. The vessel, designated as the Type 054B frigate and named Luohe, was inaugurated on Wednesday in Qingdao, a strategic port city located in northern China where the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) maintains its northern fleet. The commissioning of this ship marks a significant enhancement in China's naval capabilities, with the navy stating that it will play an essential role in boosting the overall combat effectiveness of its maritime forces.
China currently boasts the largest navy in the world by the number of hulls, yet it faces criticism regarding the technological advancement of its fleet, which some observers claim to lag behind that of its primary competitor, the United States. In response to warnings from the U.S. Navy about potentially being outnumbered, the United States has been advocating for a revitalization of its naval building program as well as quicker repairs to its damaged vessels, intensifying the naval arms race in the region.
The PLAN predominantly operates in strategically significant areas such as the waters off China's eastern coastline and the South China Sea, which China asserts almost in its entirety. An additional critical mission for the PLAN is to support the Chinese military in any potential military action against Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy situated approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the Chinese mainland. Beijing has persistently maintained its intent to reclaim Taiwan, even through military force if deemed necessary.
The Luohe frigate has an estimated displacement of around 5,000 tons and is equipped with advanced stealth technology, integrated combat command systems, and enhanced firepower, which collectively contribute to significantly improved operational performance, according to the navy. The vessel is designed to undertake comprehensive combat operations and a variety of military missions, signaling its potential as a vital asset for future naval task forces.
Armament on the Luohe includes a diverse array of machine guns for close-quarters combat, as well as anti-air and anti-ship missiles, according to various defense sources. Some publications suggest that this new frigate could become a central component of the Chinese navy's arsenal. Although the official statement did not mention plans for additional Type 054B vessels, there are indications that at least two more may have already been launched, with one still under construction.
In terms of fleet size, China reportedly possesses around 234 warships, compared to the U.S. Navy's 219, which includes approximately 50 frigates and an equal number of destroyers. The Chinese navy operates two aircraft carriers, with another presently undergoing sea trials, alongside a formidable coast guard. Recent wargames have indicated that while China might incur heavy losses in a hypothetical conflict with the U.S., it would likely persist in combat despite these setbacks.
The PLAN has also expanded its operational scope, sending vessels as far as the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean. This strategy aims to redefine its navy as a tool for extending China's growing economic and diplomatic influence. Additionally, PLAN and Chinese coast guard ships have conducted patrols in the East China Sea, an area where Beijing asserts sovereignty over a group of uninhabited islands currently administered by Japan. Although naval contacts have occurred, there have been no reported incidents of gunfire between the two nations.
To challenge China's territorial claims, the U.S. and other nations have intentionally navigated close to these contested islands, some of which are artificial. This maneuvering occurs despite China's disregard for a ruling by a U.N.-backed court that discredited the majority of its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
