Chinese frigate Yangzhou (578)

Yangzhou (578) is a Type 054A frigate of the People's Liberation Army Navy. She was commissioned on 21 September 2015.

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
Yangzhou was launched on 30 September 2013 at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. Commissioned on 21 September 2015. On 11 December 2022, the ashes of the late Chinese leader Jiang Zemin were scattered into the sea from frigate Yangzhou, named after Jiang's birthplace.