China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has officially commissioned its first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, marking a significant advancement in the nation's naval capabilities. The commissioning ceremony took place on Wednesday morning at a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.
The Luohe, bearing the hull number \"545,\" is a new-generation frigate with a displacement of approximately 5,000 tonnes. Independently developed and constructed by China, the vessel incorporates cutting-edge stealth technology, advanced combat command systems, and integrated firepower enhancements, substantially boosting its overall performance.
Designed for a wide range of missions, the Luohe is equipped to undertake comprehensive combat operations and diverse military tasks. Its introduction is expected to play a vital role in strengthening the operational effectiveness of naval task forces.
The development of the Type 054B frigate was acknowledged by the Ministry of National Defense in August 2023. Wu Qian, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that the PLA Navy's progression in deploying key combat vessels is part of a planned effort to meet national security requirements and aligns with broader naval development objectives.
Wu emphasized that this move aims to safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests while contributing to regional and global peace and stability. He reaffirmed China's commitment to peaceful development and adherence to a defensive national defense policy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
