China uses new frigates - competition with US and others increases

China uses new frigates - competition with US and others increases

in Taipei, Taiwan, the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) has put a new generation of frigates into service, which further fueled the competition with the USA and other regional powers. The ship is considered crucial for the increase in the extensive struggle of the Chinese Navy.

China's marine in global competition

Although China already has the world's largest navy according to the number of ships, the technology is sometimes considered behind the US level. The United States has warned that its navy may be inferior in the number of ships, and call on an expansion and reform program to make damaged ships used faster.

strategic importance of the South Chinese lake

The navy runs its fleet mainly in waters off the Chinese east coast and in the strategically important South China Sea, which almost completely claims China. One of the central tasks remains the support of the army in a possible attack on Taiwan, the self -managed island about 160 kilometers off the Chinese coast, which Beijing wants to annex by violence.

Details of the new frigate Luohe

The first frigate of type 054b, named Luohe, was put into service in Qingdao on Wednesday, a port city in northern China, where the North Chinese fleet of the PLA is stationed. The ship has a displacement of around 5,000 tons and is equipped with stealth technology, combat management systems and integrated firepower. These characteristics should significantly increase the overall performance.

armament and possible uses

The Luohe has various machine guns for close combat as well as anti-air and anti-ship missiles. Some defense publications report that the ship may be the backbone of the Chinese Navy.

future frigates and fleet strength

The communication does not mention future 054B frigates, but it is assumed that at least two more have already been launched and another is currently under construction. The Chinese Navy has around 234 warships, while the US Marine has 219 ships, including about 50 frigates and a similar number of destroyers. China has two operating aircraft carriers and a third party that is in the test at sea, as well as a mighty coast guard.

Wargames and strategic considerations

Current Wargames have shown that China would lose significantly more ships in a simulated conflict with the United States, but would be able to cope with and continue to fight these losses. The PLA has also sent ships to remote areas such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to use the navy as an expansion of its growing economic and diplomatic power.

international tensions and territorial claims

In the East China Sea, ships of the PLA and the Chinese coast guard patrol a group of uninhabited islands that are used by Japan. Although air and ship movements on both sides came into contact, no shots were made in these incidents. The United States and other nations are deliberately sailed close to some of these artificially created islands to challenge China's claims, while Beijing has ignored a judgment supported by the United Nations that rejected the most territorial demands of China.