Chinese frigate Yingtan (531)

Type 053K frigate

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).^[1] 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.^[2]

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.^[1]

A sister ship was being constructed at the Qiuxin Shipyard by 1979^[2] 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.

References

1. "Frigate 531". Chinese Navy Museum. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
2. Sharpe, Richard, ed. (1989). Jane's Fighting Ships 1989-90. Jane's Information Group. p. 106. ISBN 978-0710608864.

36°03′17″N 120°19′16″E / 36.0546303°N 120.3210161°E / 36.0546303; 120.3210161