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SOURCE: AFI

A comparative analysis of the front sections of four modern frigates—the Chinese PLAN Type 054A (545), the French-Italian FREMM (F-597), the Indian Navy’s P17A (F33), and the Russian VMF Project 22350 (417)—reveals significant differences in armament, highlighting how the Indian P17A frigate might be underarmed in comparison.

Here, we delve into the weapon systems of each vessel to understand these disparities:

PLAN Type 054A (545)

  • Primary Gun: 76 mm H/PJ-26 naval gun
  • Missiles:
    • Anti-Ship Missiles: 8 × YJ-83
    • Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs): 32 × HQ-16 in Vertical Launch System (VLS)
  • Torpedoes: 2 × triple 324 mm Yu-7 ASW torpedo launchers
  • Close-In Weapon System (CIWS): 2 × Type 730 30 mm CIWS

Observation: The Type 054A is well-equipped for both air defense and anti-surface warfare, with a notable number of VLS cells for SAMs.

FREMM (F-597)

  • Primary Gun: 76 mm OTO Melara gun or 127 mm Vulcano gun in some variants
  • Missiles:
    • Anti-Ship Missiles: 8 × Exocet MM40 Block 3 or 8 × Teseo Mk2/A (depending on the operator)
    • SAMs: 16 × Sylver A43 VLS for Aster 15/30 missiles (or 32 in some variants)
  • Torpedoes: 2 × triple 324 mm MU90 Impact torpedo launchers
  • CIWS: 2 × 20 mm Narwhal or Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm

Observation: The FREMM has flexibility in its armament, with advanced missile systems and a potent gun, offering robust anti-air and anti-ship capabilities.

Indian Navy P17A (F33)

  • Primary Gun: 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid Gun Mount
  • Missiles:
    • Anti-Ship Missiles: 8 × BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles
    • SAMs: 32 × Barak-8 ER in VLS
  • Torpedoes: 2 × triple 324 mm torpedo tubes for Varunastra torpedoes
  • CIWS: 2 × AK-630M CIWS

Observation: The P17A is equipped with the powerful BrahMos missile, but its air defense setup, while effective, is somewhat comparable to its peers in terms of VLS count. However, the BrahMos offers unmatched range and speed for anti-ship engagements.

VMF Project 22350 (417)

  • Primary Gun: 130 mm A-192 Armat naval gun
  • Missiles:
    • Anti-Ship Missiles: 8 × P-800 Oniks or 3M54 Kalibr
    • SAMs: 32 × Redut VLS for 9M96, 9M100 missiles
  • Torpedoes: 2 × twin 533 mm torpedo tubes or 2 × Paket-NK anti-torpedo system
  • CIWS: 2 × Palash CIWS or 1 × Kashtan CIWS

Observation: The Project 22350 frigate stands out with its heavy 130 mm gun and a diverse missile loadout, providing a strong balance between anti-ship and air defense capabilities.

Comparison and Analysis

  • Gun Armament: The Indian P17A’s 76 mm gun is standard for its class but is outclassed by the VMF’s 130 mm A-192 Armat in terms of firepower. The FREMM’s potential 127 mm gun also gives it an edge in some variants.
  • Missile Systems:
    • Anti-Ship: While the BrahMos on the P17A is a significant advantage due to its speed and range, the sheer variety of options for other frigates (like the Oniks/Kalibr on the 22350) provides flexibility in engagement scenarios.
    • Air Defense: All four ships have similar numbers of VLS cells for SAMs, but the missile types and capabilities vary, with the Redut system on the 22350 offering long-range engagements.
  • Torpedoes and CIWS: The configurations are fairly standard across the board, with modern systems ensuring a good level of anti-submarine warfare and point defense.

While the P17A frigate of the Indian Navy is not under armed per se, particularly with the BrahMos giving it a unique strike capability, it does appear less versatile in terms of missile options compared to its counterparts. The P17A’s armament focuses on high-impact, high-speed engagements, which is a strategic choice but might leave it with fewer options for varied combat scenarios. Future upgrades or a shift towards more diverse missile systems could align its capabilities more closely with those of its international peers.

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