Chinese frigate Zaozhuang (542)

Zaozhuang (542) is a Type 054A frigate of the People's Liberation Army Navy. She was commissioned on 22 February 2019.

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
Zaozhuang was launched on 30 June 2018 at the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. Commissioned on 22 February 2019.

The Singapore Navy ships RSS Intrepid and RSS Sovereignty conducted a joint naval exercise with Guiyang and Zaozhuang in the South China Sea on 24 February 2021.