The Type 054A carries
HQ-16 medium-range air defence missiles and anti-submarine missiles in a
vertical launching system (VLS) system. The HQ-16 has a range of up to 50 km, with superior range and engagement angles to the Type 054's
HQ-7. The Type 054A's VLS uses a hot launch method; a shared common exhaust system is sited between the two rows of rectangular launching tubes. The four
AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS) of the Type 054 were replaced with two
Type 730 CIWS on the Type 054A. The autonomous Type 730 provides improved reaction time against close-in threats. == Construction and career ==