built as a powerful 'pocket-frigate' ASW platform if it had an integral hangar and helo, VDS and TAS from the start instead of the just the 056A version, and 8 slant box launchers instead of 4 for more ASW cruise missile options. Kind of like the P-18 version of the 056 built for Nigeria.Several dozen of these ASW corvettes plying China's littorals would make for a very strong disincentive for enemy subs getting anywhere near China's coastline in time of war.
Instead the PLAN decides to retire the bulk of the initial 056s early and transfer them to the Chinese Coast Guard. That's a large waste of PLAN money right there. Not quite as bad as the US Freedom/Independence class debacle, but more vision ahead of time would have served the PLAN better.
