- PLA Navy commissioned Type 056A corvette for coastal defense
- Technical details of Type 056 corvette
- Blue-water navies
- Analysis
The Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has recently commissioned the last batch of Type 056A corvettes. These corvettes are considered to be specialized in coastal defense. Global Times reported.
There are a total of 72 corvettes of Type 056A have been commissioned so far by PLA Navy. Some analysts predicted that PLA’s Navy could focus on producing more larger ships as part of the country’s aim to build a blue-water navy.
The two final Type 056A corvettes, the ‘Nanyang’ and the ‘Shangqiu’ delivered to the PLA Navy entered service in late January and early February respectively. The ships are named after cities in Central China’s Henan Province. China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
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The Type 056A corvettes are independently developed and produced. These guided missile corvettes have two versions, Type 056 and Type 056A with a total of six slightly different configurations, Henan daily reported.
The Type 056 corvette was first launched in 2012. Since then China has built 22 hulls of Type 056 and 50 hulls of Type 056A for daily patrol and coastal defense.
Technical details of Type 056 corvette:
The Type 056 corvette has 1300 tons displacement weight, it is a guided missile corvette, 89 meters long and 11.14 meters wide.
The Type 056A corvette is the improved variant of Type 056, it is better in terms of anti-submarine warfare, minesweeping, and other performance parameters.
With the commissioning of all Type 056 corvettes, China has built a considerable powerful coastal defense force in missions like patrol and safeguarding of territorial waters in locations including the South China Sea and the East China Sea. A Chinese military analyst told Global Times.
China has increased its shipbuilding capacity to achieve its goal of developing blue water naval capabilities.
What is the Blue-water Navy?
A blue-water navy is a maritime force capable of operating globally, especially across the deep waters of open oceans.
Which countries have blue water navies?
The United States, United Kingdom, and France are considered true blue water navies of first and 2nd degrees respectively.
China will likely build larger warships like Type 054A frigates, Type 052 D destroyer, Type 055 large destroyer as well as Type 075 amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers. A military analyst said.
Analysis:
The induction of the Type 056 corvettes will further increase the PLA Navy’s strength and its presence in the South China Sea.
China is all set to enter the blue-water navy category. Therefore PLA is actively growing its Naval fleet to match the modern Navies and to catch-up with the USA in terms of naval capabilities.