China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has commissioned its first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, during a ceremony held on Wednesday morning at a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.
Designated with the hull number \"545,\" the Luohe boasts a displacement of approximately 5,000 tonnes. As a new-generation frigate independently developed and constructed by China, it features significant advancements in stealth technology, combat command systems, and integrated firepower. These enhancements substantially elevate the vessel's overall performance.
Equipped with robust capabilities for comprehensive combat operations and a variety of military missions, the Luohe is poised to play a crucial role in strengthening the combat effectiveness of the PLA Navy's task forces.
The launch of the Type 054B frigate was officially confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense during a press conference in August 2023. Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the ministry, stated that the PLA Navy's development of key combat vessels in accordance with relevant plans is a normal arrangement to meet national security requirements and aligns with the overall objectives of naval development.
\"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 that China has always been committed to the path of peaceful development and adheres to a defensive national defense policy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
