The Type 053H3 or Jiangwei-II (NATO codename) is a multi-role frigate operated by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It is preceded by the Type 053H2G (Jiangwei-I Class) and succeeded by the Type 054 frigates.
Ten Type 053H3 ships were built by Hudong Shipyard and Guangzhou Huangpu Shipyard between 1996 and 2005. Construction of the first frigate, Jiaxing (521) began at the Hudong Shipyard in 1996.
The frigate was entered into service in November 1998. The last ship in its class, Mianyang (528), was launched in May 2004 and entered into service in 2006. The F-22P Class frigates of the Pakistan Navy are based on the Type 053H3.
The Type 053 frigate is primarily intended for a coastal patrol role. It can be deployed in anti-air warfare (AAW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions too.
Design features of the Jiangwei-II
Based on the hull design of Jiangwei-I, the Type 053H3 frigate is identical to its predecessor in size and arrangement, but fitted with advanced weapon systems and sensors.
The last three vessels, Xiangfan (567), Luoyang (527) and Mianyang (528), have slightly different weapons and radar configuration.
The frigate has a length of 114.5m, a beam of 12.4m and a draft of 3.6m. The full load displacement is 2,393t. The ship can complement a crew of 170.
Command and control system
The command and control system is an indigenous ZJK-2 combat data system derived from the French TAVITAC.
Based on open architecture, the ZJK-2 system integrates multifunction consoles with large, high-resolution, colour flat screens.
It compiles and displays the tactical picture and the recognised maritime picture (RMP) based on the data received from sensors. The main functions of the system include threat evaluation, weapon allocation, engagement co-ordination and weapon control.
Missile launchers
The frigate is fitted with two quadruple launchers for firing YJ-82 (C 802) or YJ-83 anti-ship cruise missiles. The YJ-83 sea-skimming missile can carry a 165kg warhead to a range of 180km.
The air defence weapon system is an 8-cell HongQi-7 short range surface-to-air missile (SAM). The missile uses line-of-sight guidance to engage aircraft flying within the range of 8 to 12km. It can also strike sea-skimming anti-ship missiles at a short-range of 4 to 6km.
Naval gun systems aboard Jiangwei-II
The main gun fitted on the bow deck is a Type 79A dual-barrel 100mm gun. The gun has a firing rate of 18 rounds per minute for a range of 22km. Four Type 76A dual-37mm anti-aircraft artillery guns provide air defence capabilities to the frigate. Type 76A can fire at a rate of 180 rounds a minute to a range of 8.5km.
The anti-submarine warfare capabilities are provided by two Type 87 six-round anti-submarine rocket launchers and six 12.75 inch torpedo tubes.
Sensors / radars
The sensor suite consists of a Type 360 2D air / surface search radar operating on E/F-band, a Type 363 early warning radar and a RM-1290 navigation radar.
The Type 360 radar has a maximum tracking range of 150km to aircraft and 50km to sea-skimming missiles.
Fire control radars include a Type 341 or Type 347G, a Type 345 (J-band) and a Type 343GA or Type 344.
The frigate is also equipped with an S-07H bow-mounted medium frequency sonar.
Countermeasures
The electronic countermeasures equipment include the RWD-8 interceptor, NJ81-3 jammer, SR-210 radar warning receiver, TM-053 laser warning receiver and HZ-100 electronic signals intelligence system. Two PJ-46 six-round decoy rocket launchers are installed to deceive incoming anti-ship missiles.
Aircraft landing deck
The frigate has a stern helicopter deck to accommodate a medium size helicopter such as the Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin or Harbin Z-9C. The deck is equipped with the helicopter handling system.
Jiangwei-II propulsion
Type 053H3 Class is powered by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion unit. Four 18E390VA diesel engines driving two controllable pitch propellers via two shafts provide a maximum speed of 27kt and range of 4,000nm at 18kt speed.
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