In a significant stride towards bolstering its naval prowess, China has commissioned its first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, into the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. The commissioning ceremony took place on Wednesday morning at a military port in Qingdao, located in east China's Shandong Province.
The Luohe, bearing the hull number \"545,\" marks a new generation of frigates independently developed and constructed by China. With a displacement of approximately 5,000 tonnes, the vessel embodies advancements in stealth technology, combat command systems, and integrated firepower, substantially enhancing its overall performance.
Equipped with strong capabilities for comprehensive combat operations and a variety of military missions, the Luohe is poised to play a pivotal role in augmenting the combat effectiveness of China's naval task forces. Its induction reflects China's ongoing commitment to modernizing its naval fleet in alignment with national security requirements.
The introduction of the Type 054B frigate was officially confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense during a press conference in August 2023. Wu Qian, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that the development of key combat vessels by the PLA Navy is a normal arrangement that aligns with overall naval development objectives.
\"This move aims to safeguard the country's sovereignty, security, and development interests while contributing to global and regional peace and stability,\" Wu said, emphasizing China's adherence to a defensive national defense policy and its commitment to peaceful development.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
