Satellite image shows China's third Type 054B under construction

Vantor imagery showing a Type 054B frigate under construction at the Hudong Changxingdao shipyard in China. (Satellite image © 2026 Vantor/© 2026 Janes)

Satellite imagery captured on 10 January indicated that another Type 054B guided-missile frigate is under construction for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) at the Hudong Changxingdao shipyard in Shanghai.

In the image, the vessel can be seen within a dry dock alongside another large hull, with heavy gantry cranes spanning the dock area and multiple construction platforms surrounding the warship.

The hull appears to be at an advanced stage of assembly, with its superstructure partially complete and the bow section clearly visible.

The ship's elongated form factor and enclosed bow design are consistent with the stealthier profile associated with the Type 054B, strengthening suppositions that this will be the service's third vessel in the class.

Nearby, scaffolding and modular components indicate ongoing work on the upper decks, while the presence of large cranes and support vehicles associated with late-stage construction activities suggests that the frigate will be launched in the next few months.

The emergence of this probable third hull suggests that China has begun serial production of the frigate type after commissioning first-of-class Luohe and second-of-class Qinzhou in 2025.

The Type 054B introduces a larger hull form, heavier armament, and more capable sensors, signalling Beijing's ambition to field these surface combatants for extended bluewater operations.

While official specifications remain undisclosed, imagery and state media coverage indicate that the frigate has an approximate length of 147 m and a beam of 18 m, compared with the 134×16 m dimensions of the Type 054A.