China to commission new Type 054AG frigate 519 increasing presence in Western Pacific.

On October 14, 2025, a picture shared by SomePLAOSINT revealed that China’s Type 054AG frigate 519 has finished hull markings, confirming preparations for commissioning into the People’s Liberation Army Navy. The 054AG-class is an upgraded variant of the Type 054A guided-missile frigate, featuring expanded helicopter facilities and a 100 mm main gun to enhance China’s ability to conduct anti-submarine patrols and escort missions across the Western Pacific.
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The Type 054AG frigate features an enlarged hangar and extended flight deck for Z-20 helicopter operations, a 100 mm H/PJ-87 main gun replacing the earlier 76 mm model, while retaining the Type 382 radar, CODAD propulsion, and 4,000-ton hull of the Type 054A. (Picture source: X/SomePLAOSINT)

The four 054AG guided-missile frigates scheduled for commissioning in 2025 were all launched in August 2024, after being constructed concurrently at Guangzhou’s Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard and Shanghai’s Hudong–Zhonghua Shipyard. Huangpu launched the first 054AG in August 2024, while Hudong’s large drydock on Changxing Island has been used for assembling at least two more frigates of the same class. The same facility also hosts a Type 054A-derived hull for the China Coast Guard and the in-build Type 076 amphibious assault ship. Satellite and social media imagery show additional hull sections for follow-on frigates, which may represent future 054AG batches or further Coast Guard variants. This shipbuilding rhythm reflects a strategy to increase the production of this new subclass, bridging the long-running Type 054A and the newer Type 054Bs. Depending on run length and replacement schedules, combined totals for the 054A family could surpass 50 frigates by the late 2020s, reinforcing the class’s position as the core of China’s multi-role escort fleet across all major theaters.

According to available information, the Type 054AG retains a displacement of nearly 4,000 tons, but its flight deck and hangar are visibly enlarged to support routine operations of the heavier Z-20 helicopter, replacing the smaller Z-9 and Ka-28 previously limited by space and load capacity. The larger aviation facilities accommodate the Z-20F anti-submarine and Z-20J utility variants, which offer greater range, endurance, and payload for extended patrols and dipping-sonar missions. To enable these upgrades, the bays housing RHIBs have been relocated forward beside the funnel, freeing space aft for aviation maintenance and storage. This configuration mirrors adaptations previously observed on the Type 052DL destroyer and reflects a broader People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) objective of standardizing Z-20 helicopter operations across its destroyer and frigate fleet. The result is a design optimized for long-duration anti-submarine warfare patrols, over-the-horizon targeting, and improved maritime surveillance coverage.

Forward of the superstructure, the Type 054AG replaces the 76 mm H/PJ-26 naval gun of the Type 054A with a 100 mm H/PJ-87, which also equips the newer Type 054B and several Chinese destroyers. The shift to a larger caliber represents a return to the configuration seen on the original pair of Type 054 frigates; the Type 054AG maintains a 32-cell vertical launch system for HQ-16 medium-range surface-to-air missiles and Yu-8 rocket-assisted torpedoes, preserving the area defense and anti-submarine capabilities characteristic of the series. Two quadruple launchers for YJ-83 subsonic anti-ship missiles provide sustained offensive coverage, while paired H/PJ-12 or Type 1130 close-in weapon systems deliver terminal-layer defense against aerial threats. This armament structure likely allows for the integration of evolutionary firepower gains without requiring a redesign of the combat system architecture, keeping costs and training consistent with earlier production batches.

Sensor and radar fits on the 054AG follow the lineage established by late-batch Type 054A vessels, ensuring compatibility with existing fleet infrastructure. The frigate carries the twin-faced Type 382 three-dimensional dual-band air-search radar above the bridge and the Type 366 X-band surface search radar, maintaining an established mast configuration. The mechanically steered Type 345 fire-control radar has been replaced by fixed-panel emitters mounted above the bridge and on the hangar edges, simplifying maintenance and improving reliability. Some imagery suggests a surface-search radar positioned amidships, potentially a Type 364 C-band system or an equivalent newer variant. In contrast to the 054B’s integrated mast and four-sided AESA architecture, the 054AG’s sensor suite prioritizes proven systems and gradual modernization. This configuration may reduce integration risk and support continuity in training and logistics, aligning with the PLAN’s established practice of iterative system upgrades across serial production runs.

The propulsion system remains a CODAD (Combined Diesel and Diesel) arrangement identical to that of the 054A, providing a top speed of approximately 27 knots and operational endurance suitable for blue-water missions such as anti-piracy patrols and regional presence operations. Retaining the same engineering layout allows the shipyards to sustain efficient production and simplifies training for crews transitioning between subclasses. This uniformity enables the 054AG to fit seamlessly within existing maintenance and support infrastructures, while the enlarged hangar and heavier gun extend operational flexibility. The dual-line production model, with Huangpu and Hudong working simultaneously, further ensures uninterrupted shipbuilding throughput during the expansion of the 054B program. The PLAN’s consistent reliance on iterative modernization through series upgrades reinforces standardization across its growing frigate fleet, to ensure an effective deployment in escort, anti-submarine, and maritime security roles without overburdening logistical systems.

The appearance of the 054AG coincides with the introduction of the Type 054B, a 5,700-ton frigate that represents a larger, more complex evolution of the design lineage. The 054B features a longer hull of about 150 meters, increased beam to 18 meters, and a displacement roughly 34 percent higher than that of the 054A. It integrates an advanced four-faced AESA radar mast, the same 100 mm H/PJ-87 gun, and potential for future use of the supersonic YJ-12 missile in place of the YJ-83. The PLAN currently operates two Type 054B units as test platforms, while the 054AG is being produced in higher numbers to sustain fleet capacity. Analysts note that the PLAN originally planned for around 40 Type 054A hulls but opted to convert the final ten to 054AG standard, reportedly assigning six to the Eastern Theater Navy and four to the Southern Theater Navy, fleets closely linked to Taiwan operations. This configuration reflects a pragmatic modernization path that expands the helicopter-capable escort segment while transitioning toward more advanced ship types.

The 054AG’s deployment is expected to improve regional anti-submarine warfare coverage, reinforce air-defense protection for convoy and task-group operations, and provide consistent escort capacity as older frigates retire. Its combination of Z-20 compatibility, standard VLS systems, and proven propulsion underscores a deliberate balance between capability and production stability. By maintaining existing training pipelines and logistics while integrating key improvements, the PLAN can accelerate fleet expansion without introducing excessive technical risk. The 054AG thus stands as a transitional step within China’s surface combatant modernization, serving both as a capacity-builder and a platform bridging the older 054A fleet and the emerging 054B generation. Its commissioning will contribute to sustaining China’s blue-water expansion trajectory and ensure that PLAN frigate squadrons remain capable of performing complex maritime missions throughout the Indo-Pacific in the coming decade.

Although no official procurement figures have been disclosed by Chinese authorities, estimates based on defense industry analyses and shipbuilding patterns suggest that each Type 054AG frigate costs between $360 million and $400 million, positioning it between the earlier Type 054A and the larger, more complex Type 054B. This price range reflects the cost of structural modifications such as the enlarged hangar, extended flight deck, and integration of the 100 mm H/PJ-87 naval gun, along with associated adjustments to support Z-20 helicopter operations. By retaining the Type 054A hull design and propulsion system, development expenses have remained limited to localized redesigns, avoiding the significantly higher costs of a new-build platform.

Shared component production at Huangpu and Hudong shipyards, where sections, radars, and propulsion modules are manufactured in batches, has further contributed to cost efficiency. The lower price of the Type 054A, estimated at $320–350 million, stems from its smaller hull, 76 mm H/PJ-26 main gun, standard hangar for Z-9 or Ka-28 helicopters, and conventional radar systems without an integrated mast. In contrast, the Type 054B’s higher cost, around $500 million per unit, results from its increased displacement of about 5,700 tons, the inclusion of the same 100 mm gun, a four-faced active electronically scanned array radar, and major upgrades to propulsion, electrical distribution, and onboard electronics.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.