Chinese frigate Yingtan (531)
# Chinese frigate Yingtan (531)

Yingtan (531) was the sole Type 053K (NATO reporting name: Jiangdong) frigate constructed by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). She was equipped with HQ-61 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and the Type 381 radar, making her the first PLAN ship equipped with either surface-to-air missiles or modern air search radar.

Yingtan formally entered service in 1974, but was only named on 1 August 1986. She participated in the Johnson South Reef Skirmish in 1988. The frigate retired in 1994 and became a museum ship at the Chinese Navy Museum in Qingdao.

A sister ship was being constructed at the Qiuxin Shipyard by 1979 but was not completed.

## Gallery

* The forward HQ-61 SAM launcher.
* The rear HQ-61 SAM launcher.
* The forward superstructure with the Sun Visor 8 fire control radar atop the bridge.
