They share the same launcher with the SSM.
056 operating a Z-9, which is not always available, so 056A begin to equip with its own towed array. 056A practically replaced those older sub-hunter. There're 34 056A already, 15 more not yet commissioned. In addition to the 22 earlier 056.
A target is discovered by a helicopter 180 km away, fire the missile. What kind of target would be discovered by a helicopter that would require 054A to launch a VLS missile?
Practicing ASW by Z-9 from multiple ships.
And Y-8Q ASW has enter service, it already crossed path with the JASDF.
Footage from an ASW exercise。
It interiors are already shown publicly. This is a report from another ASW exercise. Besides carrying their own weapons, don't you think they can command surface ASW ships and even submarine with data link? A well informed source is especially proud with PLAN's information warfare where all combatants are linked and operate as one.
One more thing, this HSU001 UUV shown along with DF-17, CJ-100, WZ-8, Sharpsword UAV in the National Day Parade, means it's not only in service, but also as significant as those new revealation. If there's only one thing it do, it'd be ASW, possibly provide detection and tracking capability, linked to other PLAN ASW entity. Taking a look at what Orca XLUUV do: mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare and strike missions.
