Chinese frigate Yantai (538)
# Chinese frigate Yantai (538)

Yantai (538) is a Type 054A frigate of the People's Liberation Army Navy. She was commissioned in June 2011.

## Development and design

The Type 054A carries HQ-16 medium-range air defence missiles and anti-submarine missiles in a vertical launching system (VLS) system. The HQ-16 has a range of up to 50 km, with superior range and engagement angles to the Type 054's HQ-7. The Type 054A's VLS uses a hot launch method; a shared common exhaust system is sited between the two rows of rectangular launching tubes.

The four AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS) of the Type 054 were replaced with two Type 730 CIWS on the Type 054A. The autonomous Type 730 provides improved reaction time against close-in threats.

## Construction and career

Yantai was launched in August 2010 at the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. Commissioned in June 2011.

## Gallery

* Yantai underway on 25 July 2013.
* Yantai underway on 27 December 2014.
* Commander Harry Marsh of USS Stethem aboard Yantai on 28 July 2015.
* Yantai underway on 28 January 2016.
* Yantai underway on 26 December 2016.
* Yantai underway on 20 April 2018.
