China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is preparing to commission its new Type 054AG frigate, hull number 519, marking another step in its ongoing fleet modernization. Photos released on October 14 show the ship with completed hull markings, signaling that it is ready for active service.
The Type 054AG represents an enhanced evolution of the existing Type 054A guided-missile frigate, designed to strengthen China’s anti-submarine and escort operations across the Western Pacific. The upgraded class includes an expanded hangar and extended flight deck for Z-20 helicopter operations, a 100 mm H/PJ-87 main gun, and an updated sensor suite while retaining the proven Type 382 radar and CODAD propulsion system.
Built concurrently at Huangpu Wenchong in Guangzhou and Hudong–Zhonghua in Shanghai, four ships of the class are slated for commissioning by the end of 2025. Satellite imagery suggests additional hull sections are under construction, pointing to sustained production as China transitions from the Type 054A toward newer generations like the 054B.
With a displacement of around 4,000 tons, the Type 054AG’s enlarged hangar supports Z-20F anti-submarine and Z-20J utility helicopters, replacing the smaller Z-9 and Ka-28. This upgrade increases range, endurance, and payload capability for long-duration maritime patrols and anti-submarine warfare.
The ship mounts a 100 mm H/PJ-87 naval gun, the same model used on the larger Type 054B destroyers, replacing the earlier 76 mm gun. It also carries a 32-cell vertical launch system for HQ-16 surface-to-air missiles and Yu-8 rocket-assisted torpedoes, complemented by YJ-83 anti-ship missiles and close-in weapon systems for layered defense.
Sensor fits are consistent with late-batch Type 054A frigates, using fixed-panel fire-control radars and proven three-dimensional surveillance systems to simplify logistics and reduce maintenance. The propulsion remains Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD), delivering speeds up to 27 knots and long-range endurance for blue-water missions.
Cost estimates place the Type 054AG at $360–400 million per unit, slightly higher than the Type 054A but well below the $500 million Type 054B. This price bracket reflects structural enhancements such as the expanded hangar, extended deck, and 100 mm gun integration, while retaining the base hull and propulsion system to reduce development costs.
The commissioning of the Type 054AG is expected to enhance China’s regional anti-submarine coverage, provide stronger convoy protection, and maintain escort capacity as older frigates phase out. By bridging the gap between the 054A and 054B designs, the new subclass supports China’s broader strategy of incremental naval modernization while expanding its operational reach across the Indo-Pacific.
