Jiangkai 3-class frigate (Type 054B)

The Jiangkai 3-class frigate (Type 054B) is a class of guided-missile frigate under construction for the People's Republic of China. It is a development of the Type 054A frigate, and is around 50% larger than its predecessor.

The first two hulls of the Type 054B were observed to be under construction in the Hudong shipyard and the Huangpu shipyard in Shanghai, both laid down in 2022. The first was launched in August 2023 and the second in October 2023.

Two more Type 054B frigates are confirmed to be under construction, being laid down in 2023.

The Type 054B class is overall longer and wider than its predecessor, the Type 054A frigates. The class features an enclosed bow and an integrated mast to reduce radar cross-sections. A double-side rotating phased array radar is mounted at the tip of the topside structures. The main gun is a modified variant of the H/PJ-87 100mm naval gun. At the bow position, there is a vertical launch system (VLS) of 32 cells. Defensive systems include a Type 1130 11-barrel 30mm close in weapon system, an HQ-10 air defense missiles, and multiple Type 726 countermeasure launchers. Ports of variable depth sonar, towed linear sonar, and towed acoustic decoy can be identified at the stern.