Chinese frigate Rizhao
 Rizhao underway on 23 June 2020 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 China | |
| Name | Rizhao |
| Namesake |
|
| Builder | Huangpu, Shanghai |
| Launched | 1 April 2017 |
| Commissioned | 12 January 2018 |
| Identification | Pennant number: 598 |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type 054A frigate |
| Displacement | 4,053 tonnes (full) |
| Length | 134.1 m (440 ft) |
| Beam | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Propulsion | CODAD, 4 × Shaanxi 16 PA6 STC diesels, 5700 kW (7600+ hp @ 1084 rpm) each |
| Speed | 27 knots estimated |
| Range | 8,025 nautical miles (9,235 mi; 14,862 km) estimated |
| Complement | 165 |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 1 Kamov Ka-28 'Helix' or Harbin Z-9C |
| Aviation facilities | hangar |
Rizhao (598) is a Type 054A frigate of the People's Liberation Army Navy. She was commissioned on 12 January 2018.
Development and design
The Type 054A carries HQ-16 medium-range air defence missiles and anti-submarine missiles in a vertical launching system (VLS) system. The HQ-16 has a range of up to 50 km, with superior range and engagement angles to the Type 054's HQ-7. The Type 054A's VLS uses a hot launch method; a shared common exhaust system is sited between the two rows of rectangular launching tubes.[1]
The four AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS) of the Type 054 were replaced with two Type 730 CIWS on the Type 054A. The autonomous Type 730 provides improved reaction time against close-in threats.[2]
Construction and career
Rizhao was launched on 1 April 2017 at the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. Commissioned on 12 January 2018.
In February 2023, the frigate was deployed to the south Indian Ocean to engage in joint exercises with the South African and Russian navies that were to be held in waters off South Africa. The exercise began on 18 February and involved the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and tanker Kama from the Russian Navy[3] along with the People's Liberation Army Navy destroyer Huainan and the support ship Kekexilihu. Several vessels from the South African Navy were expected to participate including the frigate Mendi as well as the Warrior-class patrol vessel King Sekhukhune I and the hydrographic survey vessel SAS Protea.[4]
References
- ^ 舰载武器SHIPBORNE WEAPONS 2013 AUGUST ISSUE
- ^ "Chinese Navy". Archived from the original on 7 January 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
- ^ "Russia, China and South Africa began naval maneuvers". Prensa Latina. 17 February 2023.
- ^ Ryabchiy, Kate (16 February 2023). "South Africa's naval drills with Russia, China "tantamount to joining war against Ukraine"". Euromaidan Press.