China's Type 054B Frigate: Incremental Upgrade, No Naval Parity with U.S.
China's Type 054B guided-missile frigate, launched in August 2023, enhances the PLA Navy's capabilities but does not change the strategic naval balance with the U.S. Despite improvements, such as upgraded sensors and reduced radar cross-section, the U.S. Navy maintains superiority due to its extensive global basing and advanced fleet technology.
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The Type 054B frigate represents an evolution over the Type 054A, with improved size and capabilities, including a 32-cell vertical launch system and enhanced air defense systems. Commissioned in January 2025, the first ship, Luohe, achieved operational status by January 2026.
However, global military rankings place the U.S. first, with a significant lead in fleet displacement and advanced technologies like Virginia-class submarines and Aegis systems. China lacks the overseas basing infrastructure necessary for extended operations, limiting the 054B's strategic reach. While the frigate enhances China’s near-seas operational capabilities, it does not alter the overall balance of naval power, which remains firmly in U.S. hands.
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