New Stealth Frigate Delivered to Chinese Navy

The Chinese Navy has received the first of its new frigate line as part of a military modernization campaign.

The new frigate was delivered yesterday in Shanghai. It has stealth capabilities, will be responsible for patrol escort, and can carry out anti-submarine warfare.

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the naval vessel’s delivery is part of a wider military upgrade that has seen China commission its first aircraft carrier, among other aviation advances. The initiative comes after China and Japan have tracked each other for months surrounding a maritime territory dispute, escalating tensions and straining a $340 billion trade relationship.

China believes that this stealth frigate will transform the country’s entire defense system – adding functionality, and increasing combat capabilities and overall effectiveness.

China’s defense spending was expected to grow about 11 percent to US$106.4 billion in 2012. The country will announce its 2013 figure just before the annual meeting of its legislature begins next week.