[Strategerist]

Is there some part of journalist training where they are taught to deliberately mis-label warships, especially in headlines.

Usually it’s calling everything a “battleship” but this time it’s calling a frigate a “Gunboat.”

[Oztrich Boy]

Usually it’s calling everything a “battleship” but this time it’s calling a frigate a “Gunboat.”

That was my first thought, but on reflection they are not what would be a frigate today.

This is not a modern warship - No ASW, littleAA

Although relatively new, the Jianghu V class were produced in the mid90s but dusting off the plans of the 70s Jianghu I (and those ships were at least 15 years behind world standard then).

The aim was to build up the Southern Fleet numbers of patrol ships quickly and cheaply. Not for combat, just ships to provide a military presence - the classic gunboat role.

The Jianghu V are gunboats, not frigates