Mogami vs Type 054B: China, Japan in a frigate race as geopolitical focus shifts to Indo-Pacific

There seems to be a strong naval race between China and Japan as the two arch-rivals look to upgrade their military capabilities in the sea. China has just commissioned its first Type 054B frigate. Luohe was commissioned on January 22, 2025, at Qingdao’s naval port in Shandong Province. Japan has its own Mogami-class frigate plans.

China’s commissioning of Luohe marked a major milestone for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), highlighting China’s goal of creating a modern and powerful maritime force. Equipped with advanced technology, the Type 054B is expected to play a key role in the PLAN’s operations near its coasts and in distant seas.

State-run Xinhua News reported that the commissioning ceremony was held with full ceremonial honours, reflecting the pride and ambition driving China’s naval modernisation.

Type 054B: A technological leap in naval warfare

The Luohe, with hull number 545, has a displacement of around 5,000 tonnes, making it larger and more advanced than its predecessor, the Type 054A. The frigate features cutting-edge stealth technology, combat command systems and integrated firepower control.

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping told Global Times that many technologies from the advanced Type 055 destroyer have been adapted for the Type 054B, giving it greater firepower and operational flexibility. This includes the ability to carry larger utility helicopters, such as the Z-20, expanding its mission capabilities.

These upgrades are more than just minor improvements as they represent a shift in the PLAN’s naval design and strategy. The frigate’s enhanced stealth makes it harder to detect, while upgraded combat systems enable better coordination in complex naval operations.

Zhang Xuefeng, another prominent Chinese military analyst, told The Warzone that the Luohe’s balanced capabilities in anti-submarine, anti-ship, and air defence missions place it among the world’s most advanced frigates.

Strategic deployment and versatile missions

The commissioning of the Luohe highlights China’s strategy to expand its naval presence and operational reach. Designed for both coastal defence and long-range missions, the frigate bridges the gap between smaller Type 056 corvettes and larger Type 055 destroyers. Its extended endurance allows it to conduct sustained operations in contested waters like the South China Sea and beyond.

Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the Naval Research Institute, told Xinhua that the Luohe could play a vital role in aircraft carrier and amphibious assault groups by providing air defence and anti-submarine escort capabilities. Stationed at Qingdao, the homeport of the aircraft carrier Liaoning, the frigate supports joint training and integrated operations.

Zhang also suggested that similar frigates could be deployed in other key naval hubs, such as Sanya in Hainan Province, further boosting the PLAN’s regional and global reach.

Naval competition in the Indo-Pacific

The induction of the Type 054B frigate comes at a time of growing naval competition in the Indo-Pacific region. China aims to strengthen its maritime claims and counter the presence of the US Navy and its allies.

As the world’s largest navy by the number of ships, the PLAN continues to expand with advanced vessels to boost combat readiness and strategic capabilities. According to The Taipei Times, this development coincides with US freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, which challenge China’s maritime claims.

Although the US Navy remains technologically superior in many areas, recent wargames discussed by The Warzone suggest that China’s capacity to sustain and replace losses gives it an advantage in long conflicts. The Luohe and future Type 054B frigates are a strategic response, offering a cost-effective yet versatile platform for a wide range of missions.

Japan gets ready with Mogami-class frigates

China’s advancements in naval technology have pushed neighbouring countries, especially Japan, to upgrade their fleets. In November 2023 itself, Japan launched its eighth Mogami-class frigate, the JS Yubetsu, which shares similarities with China’s Type 054B in its multi-role capabilities and emphasis on efficiency.

The Mogami-class frigates are equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, vertical launch systems, and unmanned vehicle capabilities, reflecting Japan’s commitment to maintaining a strong naval presence in the region’s volatile geopolitical environment.

These developments point to a regional trend of adopting affordable, versatile frigates capable of handling various missions. Zhang Junshe said in Xinhua that the Type 054B could become a backbone of the PLAN through mass production, similar to the role of Mogami-class frigates in Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force. This parallel growth highlights the strategic value of frigates as cost-effective and adaptable solutions in modern naval warfare.

Implications for India

The commissioning of the Type 054B frigate could disturb the naval balance in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions. China’s focus on mass-producing advanced frigates like the Type 054B shows its intent to extend its power well beyond its coastal waters. China has been expanding its naval presence in the Indian Ocean using strategic outposts like its base in Djibouti and the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. This shows the urgency for India to speed up its naval modernisation efforts.

The Type 054B’s advanced anti-submarine and air defence capabilities directly challenge India’s ability to safeguard its exclusive economic zones and maintain strategic autonomy in contested waters. Strengthening partnerships, such as the Quad alliance with the US, Japan and Australia becomes even more crucial as India works to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region.

The waters of power

The commissioning of the Type 054B frigate Luohe marks an important milestone in China’s naval modernisation, reflecting its goal to build a world-class navy that can tackle various challenges. With its advanced technologies, versatility and strategic deployment, the Luohe represents China’s determination to protect its maritime interests and assert its global influence.

With China accelerating its naval upgrade and, India and Japan making their own advancements in naval technology, the Indo-Pacific has attracted global attention for what looks like a geopolitical competition. Meanwhile, China’s continued pressure in the Taiwan Strait and threats of invading the island pose significant risk of shifting the theatre of war from Europe and West Asia to the Indo-Pacific region.