Reports indicate that a newly commissioned Chinese corvette or light frigate has set sail for the first time. Its design bears resemblance to Sweden’s Visby class corvettes, featuring a concealed main gun within a low observable cupola, albeit with a larger size. This underscores China’s rapid progress in shipbuilding, posing challenges for even well-equipped nations like the United States. Just recently, China launched its first domestically designed aircraft carrier, equipped with advanced features, marking another milestone.
Social media images reveal the ship at sea, though details about its departure, route, and return remain unclear. Notable features include a concealed main gun, a vertical launch system, and a flight deck, emphasizing stealth characteristics. The design incorporates an integrated mast structure and minimizes radar-reflective fixtures, following principles seen in other stealth vessels.
Estimated at around 97 meters in length, the new ship’s size is comparable to non-stealthy Type 056 corvettes. Its intended purpose remains mysterious, but its stealth capabilities could be advantageous for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). While not rendering it radar-invisible, its low observable design complicates detection and engagement, particularly in coastal areas, where it can blend with smaller vessels and geographical features.
The PLAN places great strategic importance on coastal areas, particularly those within the First Island Chain, which stretches from mainland East Asia and encompasses islands like the Senkakus, claimed by Beijing. This region extends into the South China Sea, heavily militarized by China, notably with artificial island fortifications.
A potential deployment strategy for the PLAN could involve utilizing a new fleet of stealthy corvettes for coastal defense. This would allow other vessels, such as Type 054A frigates, to focus on broader blue-water missions.
The emergence of this stealth corvette reflects a global trend favoring well-armed corvettes and light frigates. The swift development of this vessel underscores China’s impressive shipbuilding capabilities, highlighted by its significantly larger capacity compared to the U.S. Furthermore, China’s shipbuilding efforts have led to the construction of increasingly capable vessels, signaling advancements in quality alongside quantity.
