China launches 29th Jiangkai II frigate

China has launched another Jiangkai II (Type 054A) guided-missile frigate at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai.

The vessel, which will be in service as the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN’s) 29th Type 054A frigate, was launched on 16 December. The ship is seen without its pennant number in images circulated on Chinese internet forums.

The 3,500-tonne platform measures 134 m in length, 16 m in breadth, and has a hull draught of 5 m. The frigate is powered by four SEMT Pielstick diesel engines driving two propeller shafts, and has a top speed of 27 kt with a standard range of 3,800 n miles at 18 kt.

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