China Gets More Warships as US Waits on New Frigate

China continues to expand its fast-growing navy—already the world’s largest by hull count—as it fielded a new frigate, state media reported on Monday, a type of vessel the United States, its military rival, is expected to introduce as early as 2028.

China Central Television reported that CNS Linfen, a new variant of the Type 054A frigate with a more powerful naval gun and expanded aviation facilities for helicopters, has been commissioned into service with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry for further comment by email.

Why It Matters

As part of its vision to build a “world-class” military, China is undergoing rapid naval modernization through advances in shipbuilding and force projection, resulting in over 370 vessels in operation and an expanded military reach across the western Pacific.

Among the Chinese military‘s fleet of warships are more than 40 ships in the Type 054 frigate family across four variants—the Type 054, Type 054A, Type 054AG and Type 054B—often deployed on long-range missions with aircraft carriers or as part of escort task groups.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy plans to field President Donald Trump’s battleship-centered fleet, including a new design based on a Coast Guard cutter to replace the canceled Constellation-class frigate program, with the first hull expected to launch in two years.

What To Know

Unlike the Type 054A frigate variant, the Linfen is designed with a longer flight deck and an expanded hangar to accommodate the newer, larger Z-20 helicopter, which provides improved submarine hunting capabilities, China Central Television reported.

According to Alex Luck, an Australia-based naval analyst, the improved Type 054A frigate variant is officially designated the Type 054AG. Another feature is a larger-caliber main gun, replacing the original 76 mm gun with a 100 mm gun on the bow.

Gong Chao, a crew member of the Linfen, told China Central Television that the gun has an extended range and improved precision for anti-surface warfare strikes, while the ship’s radar detects targets at longer distances with “higher positioning accuracy.”

China Central Television footage shows the Linfen, hull number 543, moored alongside another frigate with hull number 580. The Global Times reported that the second ship, equipped with the same gun as the Linfen, was likely another new Type 054AG vessel.

A Japan-based Chinese military observer on the social media platform X, type36512, noted that the Linfen is part of the sixth shipbuilding batch of Type 054A/AG frigates and that the total number of Type 054A/AG variants planned is estimated at around 50.

Each 4,000-ton Type 054A frigate and its improved variant is equipped with a 32-cell vertical launching system for anti-air missiles, eight launchers for anti-ship missiles, two triple torpedo launchers and two close-in weapon systems, Naval News reported.

The commissioning of new Type 054AG frigates comes after two Type 054B vessels—displacing 5,000 tons and designed with stealth features—entered service last year, but there are no indications that additional hulls of the type are being built, Luck said.

“This has led some observers to speculate [Type 054B] is not an acceptable design for [People’s Liberation Army Navy],” Luck wrote for Naval News earlier this month, noting the continued production of the Type 054A frigate in its improved variant.

What People Are Saying

Quoting Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe, Global Times reported: “The larger main gun can boost the new Type 054A’s multirole capabilities, for example, capabilities in close-range maritime combat and land attack. The upgraded radar systems, on the other hand, contribute to the vessel’s air defense capabilities.”

Alex Luck, an Australia-based naval analyst, wrote for Naval News: “It is important to point out that [People’s Liberation Army Navy] is typically conservative in adaption of new warship designs. Validation and induction of new warships takes time, while the shipyards have a preference for continued production. The Chinese Navy also evidently still pursues a course of further rapid growth and modernization.”

What Happens Next

It remains to be seen whether China will resume construction of additional Type 054B frigates this year or build both them and the Type 054AG variant concurrently as part of efforts to expand its navy following the U.S. unveiling of its “Golden Fleet” plan.