The Chinese Navy has commissioned a new 4,000t Huanggang guided-missile destroyer at Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang province.

The latest Huanggang-class Type 054A multirole frigate is claimed to be capable of attacking vessels and submarines, and will improve the medium-to-high altitude air defence potential of the army’s East Sea Fleet.

"The new destroyer is equipped with 32 HQ-16 radar-guided, surface-to-air missiles."

Huanggang-class vessels have long-range detection and air defence capabilities, as well as a full displacement of more than 4,000t, Xinhua reported.

The new destroyer is equipped with 32 HQ-16 radar-guided, surface-to-air missiles and eight YJ-83 eagle strike, infrared and radar-guided, anti-ship missiles, which are capable of supersonic travel.

Towed-radar array sonar enhances submarine detection, with the systems tracked several kilometres behind a vessel, away from its own noise sources.

A Type 1130 close-in weapon system, which consists of 11 30mm calibre guns that have a potential fire of between 9,000 to 11,000 rounds per minute, has been installed.

The frigate’s anti-submarine capabilities reportedly surpass that of China’s Type 052C and Type 052D destroyers.