Yantai (538) is a Type 054A frigate of the People's Liberation Army Navy. She was commissioned in June 2011. She is a member of the North Sea Fleet.
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.
Yantai was launched in August 2010 at the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. Commissioned in June 2011. She has been involved in anti-piracy operations in the gulf of Aden.
In May 17, 2015 Yantai along with Shenyang conducted a live fire exercise in the yellow sea.
The Yantai's emblem features the outline of a Type 054A frigate in the middle along with the words "ä¸Âå½人æ°Â解æ¾åÂÂæµ·åÂÂçÂÂå°è°" (Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy ship Yantai) and "PLA Navy frigate Yantai" at the top. Her motto is "Ã¥ÂÂè°Âï¼Âç²¾æ¦ï¼Âå¥Âç®", which roughly translates to "Peaceful, elite, service".