Chengdu-class

The Chengdu I was the first really modern escort design to enter service in the People's Liberation Army Navy. Showing a great deal of influence from the Vosper Type-21 frigates that came into British service around the same time, they are both tidy and handy for use in the confined water of the Chinese coastline and river estuararies. While they lack sophisticated electronics, they have good firepower and excellent maneuverability. More importantly, they have had a good reliability record and can be maintained by the rather rudimentary conscripts that make up the PLAN. Unfortunately, their lack of any real SAM or ASW systems makes them easy targets for more modern escorts and submarines.

Structural/Powerplant

Designed in the early 1970's, the Chengdu-class is a conventional patrol frigate design, using steel hull construction and diesel propulsion. Poweredby twin diesel engines driving two screws, the powerplant delivers a maximum of 16,000 SHP (14,000 normal).

Weapons

Two twin HY-2/C 201 anti-ship missile launchers, one or two twin 100 mm dual-purpose gun mounts, four or six 37 mm anti-aircraft gun mounts, two or four RBU-1200 anti-submarine rocket launchers, four BMB-2 depth charge launchers and two depth charge/mine racks.

Countermeasures

Two Jug Pair radio/radar intercept relievers and two decoy/countermeasures launchers.

Sensors

Eye Shield (MX-902/Type 354) air search radar, Square Tie (Type 254) missile targeting radar, Sun Visor and Rice Lamp gunfire control radars and Type EH-5 bow-mounted sonar.