China's First Type 054B Frigate ‘Luohe’ Commissioned Into Service

China's first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, officially entered service in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Wednesday during a commissioning ceremony at a military port in Qingdao, Shandong Province.

The 5,000-ton-class Luohe, hull number 545, features improved stealth, combat systems, and integrated firepower, enhancing its capabilities for coastal and open-sea operations.

Military expert Song Zhongping was quoted as saying by Chinese media that the Type 054B is larger and more capable than its predecessor, the Type 054A. Its enhanced firepower and expanded flight deck allow it to carry larger utility helicopters like the Z-20. The frigate's extended endurance enables operations in both nearshore and far seas, addressing diverse mission requirements.

The Type 054B frigate, launched in 2023, is expected to replace smaller Type 056 corvettes for coastal operations while complementing larger Type 055 destroyers in far-seas missions. Experts anticipate that the Type 054B will be produced in significant numbers, similar to its predecessor.