Exclusive
Bang Tao Under Pressure: Midnight Noise, Public Land Encroachment, and Systemic Failures of Law Enforcement in Phuket Bang Tao Under Pressure: Midnight Noise, Public Land Encroachment, and Systemic Failures of Law Enforcement in Phuket Unfinished War in Iran Unfinished War in Iran The Planet Under Threat The Planet Under Threat
Current Affairs

Satellite images show 50 per cent boost to China’s Type 054B missile capacity

China appears to be adding capacity to the vertical launch system (VLS) of its most advanced guided-missile frigate Type 054B under construction in Shanghai, satellite…

By Samantha Johnson / August 13, 2026
China appears to be adding capacity to the vertical launch system (VLS) of its most advanced guided-missile frigate Type 054B under construction in Shanghai, satellite images show, allowing it to have a larger missile reserve and stronger anti-air defence capabilities.
According to satellite images taken by US intelligence company Vantor on June 28, the VLS at the bow of a Type 054B vessel had a different shape compared to the first two Type 054B vessels that have already entered service.

China calls nuclear submarine missile test ‘routine’ as Australia, Japan voice concerns

The previous version of the vessels had four eight-cell units, totalling 32 launching cells. However, the June 28 image showed a six-unit structure of what might be the same eight-cell system, allowing the new Type 054B vessel – which is still being outfitted at the Hudong Zhonghua shipyard – to carry 48 VLS cells.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military commentator and former People’s Liberation Army instructor, said the vessel was possibly being fitted with a 48-cell VLS, as the Type 054B required stronger anti-saturation attack capabilities and enhanced regional air-defence capability.

“The previous 32 cells carry a limited range of missile types, which will affect its actual combat effectiveness,” he said.

“Increasing the cell count would directly boost its anti-saturation defence and overall combat capability. So an upgrade like this is entirely plausible.”

Don't Miss: