The Chinese Navy has made great efforts in recent years, especially the entry of the Type 054B frigate, which makes people feel that they have taken a solid step in long-sea combat. The ship was launched in August 2023 and officially launched in January 2025. It took less than two years to be launched, and its efficiency was admirable. The displacement of 054B is between 5500 and 6000 tons, with a length of 147 to 150 meters and a width of 17 to 18 meters. It uses a combination of diesel engines and full electric propulsion, and the speed can reach about 30 knots. It has strong self-sustainability and is suitable for traveling far away with the aircraft carrier formation. Compared with the old 054A, it has one-third tonnage, more space, and can accommodate a Z-20 anti-submarine helicopter, and the platform is extended from 20 meters to 24 meters.
The stealth design has also been upgraded, the superstructure is in a fold-line shape, the anti-ship missile launcher is hidden in the fence, and the radar reflecting surface is much smaller. The power system uses a CS16V27 diesel engine, with four units, and the total power is sufficient, but the noise is well controlled and it is not so easy to detect during anti-submarine. The Navy plans to build about 20 ships. Now the Hudong and Huangpu Shipyards are building the second and third ships in parallel, and several more ships are expected to be launched before the end of 2025. This type of ship is positioned as the backbone of medium-range air defense and anti-submarine work, and does not steal the limelight of destroyers, but it has high cost performance and is controlled within a reasonable range.
Looking at the constellation level of the US Navy, this guy started the FFG (X) project in 2020 and wanted to quickly fill the gap in the ocean frigate. As a result, in September 2025, the first ship "Constellation" has only been built to 10%, and the design has not been completely finalized. The displacement exceeds the standard of 759 tons, reaching 7290 tons, with a length of 151 meters and a width of 19.7 meters. The tonnage is one circle larger than 054B, but there are many problems. The budget expanded from the initial $500 million per ship to more than $1 billion. Congressional report pointed out that progress was delayed and the delivery of the first ship was pushed to 2029.
The zodiac-level FREMM enlarged version based on Italy emphasizes ocean-friendly nature, self-sustaining power for 45 days, and can run 8,000 nautical miles. However, the stealth design is sloppy, inheriting the old Burke-class mast, not completely invisible, and the electromagnetic compatibility test is saved, but the performance is discounted. The power is CODLOG mix, gas turbine and diesel engine, and the speed is 27 knots. The Navy originally planned to build 20 ships, but now the FY2025 budget has only approved the money for the sixth ship, and it will be determined by Congress's expression later. Compared with 054B, the constellation-level tonnage is large, but the construction is slow and the cost is high, and the actual deployment is still far away.
The Royal Navy has been planning the British Type 26 frigate since the 2010s to replace the old Type 23. By 2025, the first ship "Glasgow" has been named and is in the sea trial stage and is expected to be put into service by the end of 2026. It has a length of 149.9 meters, a width of 20.8 meters, and a displacement of 6,900 tons. It is positioned as a global combat ship and emphasizes anti-submarine and multi-purpose. The power is MT30 gas turbine and diesel generator, fully electric propulsion, speed is 26 knots, and the self-sustaining force is enough for 60 days. The shipyard BAE Systems is advancing construction in Glasgow. Now the fifth Sheffield is being assembled, with a total of 8 ships planned, plus the derivative versions of Australia and Canada, which has a great influence. Norway also chose the 26 variant in August 2025, with a contract of over 10 billion pounds.
The 26-type design is modular and easy to upgrade, but in order to reduce the cost to 1.3 billion pounds per ship, it cuts the high-performance phased array radar and uses the 997 three-coordinate radar to make do with it. The vertical launch system is divided into two sets, 48-unit sea receptor short-range air defense, and 24-unit Mk41 can fight tomahawks, but there is no long-range air defense missile. Compared with the 054B, the 26-type tonnage is similar, but the air defense is weak, the anti-submarine is strong, and the construction progress is stable, but the cost control makes it less high-end configuration.
Japan's most superior frigate, the Maritime Self-Defense Force, started in the late 2010s, focusing on offshore anti-submarine and mine clearance. By 2025, 11 ships have been in service, with a total of 12 planned, and the latest ship will be launched in July. The standard version has a length of 132 meters, a width of 16.3 meters, and a displacement of 5,500 tons, but the upgraded version has been lengthened to 142 meters, a displacement of 4,880 tons, and a vertical launch unit has been added to 32. Powered CODAD diesel engine, speed of 30 knots, medium self-sustaining power. The design is simple, the invisible is good, there is no towering mast, and the antenna is integrated into the cylindrical cover.
Australia chose the best upgrade in August 2025, with a contract of US$6.5 billion, 11 ships built, and the first ship was delivered in 2029. Japan's MHI shipyard is efficient and has ordered two more improved models in May 2025. Compared with 054B, the top is small in size, suitable for island chain defense, balanced firepower, but weak ocean-going capabilities and short detection distance.
Russia's 22350M frigate is an enlarged version of the 22350, starting in the 2000s. By August 2025, the fifth ship of the 22350 "Amerco" will be launched, with a length of 135 meters and a displacement of 5,400 tons, but the 22350M plan to be 160 meters and a displacement of 8,000 tons, with a strong firepower. The first ship, the 22350 "Gorshkov", was put into service in 2018, and now there are 10 ships ordered and delivered to 2027.
Power CODOG, gas turbine and diesel, speed of 29 knots. However, due to the sanctions, construction is slow and electronic technology is lagging behind. Vertical launch system 48+64 units, can be equipped with zircon hypersonic missiles, and 9M96 for air defense. The radar uses SP-20K, and its performance is average, and MP-750 is also added. Compared with 054B, 22350M has stronger firepower, but the stealth and electronics are poor, making it difficult to coordinate actual combat.
France's Aquitaine-class frigate is the French version of the FREMM project. It was developed in the 2000s and its first ship was put into service in 2012. By 2025, many ships will perform missions in the Mediterranean and Red Sea, with a length of 142 meters, a width of 20 meters and a displacement of 6,000 tons. Power CODLOG, speed of 27 knots, self-sustaining power of 45 days. The Italian version is also exported a lot, and the ninth ship will be launched in April 2025. The design is invisible and the superstructure is smooth. Vertical launch unit 32, Ziyuan medium and long-range air defense, and another 8 flying fish anti-ships. The radar Herakles single-sided passive phased array detects 250 kilometers. Naval gun 76mm, near-defense 20mm remote control station. Compared with 054B, the Aquitaine class tonnage is comparable, with good stealth, but light firepower and short air defense range.
To be honest, the difference between these frigates is really not a little bit. 054B balances tonnage and stealth in overall design, with clear ocean positioning, unlike the constellation-level overweight delay, type 26-type pressure cost loss performance, the highest level is small but limited to offshore, 22350M excessive firepower electronics cannot keep up, Aquitaine-level exquisite but insufficient firepower. The Chinese Navy runs in small steps and iterates quickly. After 054B is in service, it will immediately make up for the shortcomings of the formation. The US Navy has a large demand for global deployment, but the constellation-level card is difficult to catch up in a short period of time. The British Type 26 modularity has advantages and wide international cooperation, but the Royal Navy fleet is small in scale and has limited influence. Japan's most advanced construction is efficient and suitable for defense, but the ocean is weak. Russia's 22350M is dragged down by external factors, and its potential is difficult to realize. French Aquitaine-level mature exports, but slow updates.
